Multi-Unit Restaurant Operator Diversifies Into the Booming Drive-Thru Coffee Industry
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the powerhouse franchise group behind more than 330 Hardee’s restaurants, is officially entering the coffee franchise business with a large-scale Scooter’s Coffee development agreement covering North Carolina and Virginia.
The deal includes plans for at least 31 new Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru locations and positions Boddie-Noell as the largest Scooter’s Coffee franchise operator in both states. The expansion is especially notable in Virginia, where Scooter’s Coffee has yet to establish operating locations.
The agreement marks a major diversification move for one of the restaurant industry’s most experienced multi-unit franchise groups. After decades of growth with Hardee’s, Boddie-Noell has spent recent years searching for a complementary franchise concept capable of long-term expansion.
Scooter’s Coffee Targets Smaller Markets and Community Connections
Unlike many national coffee chains that prioritize dense urban markets, Scooter’s Coffee has focused heavily on suburban communities and smaller cities. That market strategy reportedly played a major role in attracting Boddie-Noell to the brand.
Company executives believe the coffee chain’s community-oriented culture closely mirrors the values Boddie-Noell has built its restaurant operations around for decades. Both organizations place strong emphasis on customer relationships, local engagement and neighborhood visibility.
Boddie-Noell leadership stated that Scooter’s Coffee fits naturally within the company’s operating philosophy because it serves the types of communities the group already understands well through its extensive Hardee’s network.
Scooter’s Coffee Nears 1,000 Franchise Locations
Scooter’s Coffee has quickly become one of the fastest-growing beverage franchises in North America. The drive-thru coffee brand currently operates around 920 locations and expects to surpass the 1,000-unit milestone by the end of 2026.
The franchise offers a menu built around convenience and speed, including specialty coffees, cold beverages, smoothies, teas and food items designed for on-the-go consumers.
As the brand continues scaling nationally, it has started attracting attention from larger multi-unit franchise operators seeking entry into the coffee category. However, Scooter’s Coffee leadership says franchise selection still centers heavily around cultural fit and community involvement rather than operator size alone.
The company values franchisees who actively participate in their local markets through sponsorships, charitable programs and community events. Scooter’s leadership believes local relationships create stronger customer loyalty and help differentiate the brand in the highly competitive beverage sector.
Why Boddie-Noell Stood Out to Scooter’s Coffee
Executives at Scooter’s Coffee described Boddie-Noell Enterprises as a rare large-scale operator capable of maintaining a strong local presence despite operating hundreds of restaurants.
The two companies reportedly held conversations for several years before moving forward with the partnership. During that process, both sides focused heavily on operational alignment, long-term trust and shared business values.
Scooter’s Coffee leadership noted that values such as integrity, humility and customer service played a central role in evaluating the partnership opportunity. Those similarities helped solidify the relationship and ultimately led to the multi-unit agreement.
Boddie-Noell Revives Diversification Efforts
While Boddie-Noell is most closely associated with Hardee’s, the company has experience operating a variety of restaurant concepts throughout its history. Previous ventures included brands such as Moe’s Southwest Grill, Texas Steakhouse & Saloon and several barbecue concepts.
The company reduced its diversification initiatives during the economic downturn of the early 2000s in order to concentrate more heavily on Hardee’s operations. In recent years, however, leadership resumed evaluating new franchise opportunities that aligned with the company’s expertise and infrastructure.
After reviewing multiple concepts across fast food and beverage categories, Scooter’s Coffee emerged as the strongest operational fit.
Executives also noted that some future Scooter’s Coffee stores may be developed on land already owned by Boddie-Noell near existing Hardee’s locations, creating potential real estate synergies and operational efficiencies.
Drive-Thru Coffee Franchises Continue Drawing Investor Interest
The expansion underscores the growing momentum behind drive-thru coffee franchises as experienced restaurant operators seek scalable concepts with strong consumer demand.
Coffee brands offering speed, convenience and localized customer engagement continue attracting attention from franchise groups looking to diversify beyond traditional quick-service restaurants.
For Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the Scooter’s Coffee partnership represents a strategic long-term investment into a high-growth category while leveraging decades of restaurant operations experience and community-driven business practices.
