Iowa's Valerie Knospe Named Champion of Hardee's 2026 National Biscuit Baker Competition

The national competition honors the skill and dedication behind Hardee's Made From Scratch™ Biscuits

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hardee's, the beloved restaurant brand known for its Made From Scratch™ Biscuits, is proud to announce Valerie Knospe of West Union, Iowa as the winner of the 2026 National Biscuit Baker Competition. After a rigorous series of local and regional competitions, Knospe earned her spot among the four national finalists, ultimately rising to the top at finals earlier this month.

Each baker faced the challenge of preparing 52 fresh and fluffy biscuits in just 15 minutes, displaying both speed and precision in their craft. Knospe's exceptional technique, consistency and dedication earned her the coveted title of 2026 Hardee's Biscuit Baker Champion, along with a $10,000 cash prize. The second, third and fourth place winners received a prize of $2,500.

"The key to a great biscuit is to be thorough, follow every step, and take pride in serving biscuits that are of high quality," said Valerie Knospe, 2026 biscuit baker winner. "I put lots of love into my biscuits. You must be patient and realize that you are preparing the biscuit to start the guests' day off on the right foot."

"Our biscuits start with the talented team members who bring pride and care to every batch they bake before dawn," said Alisa Gmelich, president of Hardee's. "The Hardee's Biscuit Baking Competition celebrates the skill and passion behind every biscuit, from its golden color and fluffy texture to the unmistakable taste our guests love. Congratulations to Valerie and thank you to all our finalists for sharing their talent with our guests every day."

Knospe represented West Union, Iowa, and Northland Management LLC, which owns and operates 120 Hardee's locations. She competed against a skilled group of finalists, including Diego Ramos, representing Lexington, Ky., and John McGinnis Group; Amanda McIntosh, representing Dayton, Tenn., and J&S Restaurants Inc.; and Dwight Henry, representing Jefferson, N.C., and CKE Restaurants.

Guests can experience Hardee's famous Made From Scratch™ Biscuits every morning at their local restaurant. For those eager to see Valerie's award-winning biscuit skills firsthand, visit Hardee's at 117 IA-150, West Union, IA 52175 during breakfast hours.

For more information about Hardee's and its signature biscuits, visit www.hardees.com.

About Hardee's
Hardee's® is known for authentic and charming goodness and high-quality menu items, including charbroiled burgers like the Hardee's Frisco™, Made From Scratch™ Biscuits and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™. For over 65 years, Hardee's has brought people together with hand crafted menu offerings made by hardworking people, for hardworking people. Together with its franchisees, Hardee's operates more than 1,400 restaurants in 31 states. For more information, visit www.hardees.com. 

About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc. is a privately held company based in Franklin, Tenn., and a parent company of Carl's Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee's Restaurants LLC, which franchise, own and operate these two well-known quick-service brands which offer premium and innovative menu items such as charbroiled burgers, Made From Scratch™ Biscuits and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™. With both a U.S. and international footprint, Carl's Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee's Restaurants LLC have more than 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 U.S. states and more than 35 foreign countries and U.S. territories. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.  

SOURCE CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.