Hardee's franchisee Restaurant Management Group (RMG), which operates several Hardee's restaurants in the Uniontown area, has been named co-winner of the Hardee's Franchisee of the Year for 2005. RMG tied for first place among larger (21 or more restaurants) franchise operators in the U.S.

This is the second time in five years that RMG has earned franchisee of the year from Hardee's Food Systems Inc. In addition, RMG was recognized for its restaurants having the highest sales volume among franchise operators in the large franchisee category.

"We're extremely proud of this recognition, which is the result of our employees' efforts each and every day and the loyalty of our customers," said RMG's Chief Executive Officer Craig McClure.

RMG operates 45 Hardee's restaurants in the eastern region of the United States. The company has 24 restaurants in West Virginia, 15 in Tennessee, three in Virginia, two in Pennsylvania and one in Ohio. More than two-thirds of all 2,034 Hardee's restaurants in the United States are franchises.

RMG is the fifth-largest Hardee's franchisee in the United States. The award was presented to the company at the Hardee's annual franchisee meeting in St. Louis in late April.