Hardee’s Signs Up Cliff Freeman Agency

CKE Restaurants Inc.’s large Hardee’s hamburger chain said Wednesday that it has awarded its $80-million national creative advertising account to Cliff Freeman & Partners in New York.

Hardee’s Food Systems Inc. said in a press release that the agency joins the company at a time when the restaurant chain is refocusing on quality, cleanliness and fast, friendly service in its 2,750 company and franchised restaurants in 37 states and 11 foreign companies.

Hardee’s, based in Rocky Mount, N.C., is wholly owned by Anaheim-based CKE.