By By Adam Prestridge
Training is wrapping up for employees of the new Hardee’s location in Rivercane as anticipation of its 11 a.m. opening Monday morning continues to build.
According to Paradigm Investment Group’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Hazard, the application process held earlier this month at the new Holiday Inn Express was a great success with more than 200 people applying for positions and 125 of those making it through the interview process. After it was all said and done, Hardee’s hired 80 anxious people ready to serve up some good food.
Hardee’s is the first restaurant to open in Rivercane, the city’s 740-acre development off Interstate 65.
Hazard said Paradigm is pleased to be the first restaurant to commit and open at Rivercane.
Hardee’s is located on the corner of Rivercane’s entrance, which Hazard believes will be key to the restaurant’s success.
Site preparations for Hardee’s began in early February and despite several weeks of rainy weather, construction of the facility stayed on its 80-day schedule.
When the doors open to the new restaurant, residents will be pleasantly surprised by the state-of-the-art design and contemporary d/cor, Hazard said.
Hardee’s will also offer free WiFi and will feature flat-screen televisions tuned to today’s news.
Paradigm Investment Group is enjoying a great deal of success right now in spite of the downturn of the economy. Hazard said his company’s total investment once open would be right at $1.2 million. He said construction of the building was $475,000; signage, seating, equipment, franchise fees and training once complete will run about $375,000 and the land was purchased for $380,000.
The Atmore Hardee’s location will be Paradigm’s 88th restaurant to open with others stretching from Panama City, Fla. to Biloxi, Miss. and through Alabama to Fayetteville, Tenn. with the exception of Birmingham.
Hardee’s will open at 4 a.m. seven days a week, closing at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.