Jack A. Laughery

JACKSON, Wyo. - Jack A. Laughery, 71, former chairman of Hardee's Food Systems, died on August 20, 2006. The cause of death was pneumonia, following a long battle with cancer. Mr. Laughery, who spent almost his entire career in the food service industry, joined Sandy's, a regional fast-food company headquartered in Kewanne, Ill., in 1962, as a manager in Davenport, Iowa. He rose through the ranks and in 1971 he was named president and chief executive officer. A year later Mr. Laughery negotiated a merger between Sandy's and Hardee's Food Systems. He located at that time in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to assume the title of executive vice president of Hardee's. In 1973, he was named president and chief operating officer, and president and chief executive officer in 1975. In 1980, he was elected chairman of the board. In 1981, at the time that Hardee's was acquired by Montreal-based Imasco Limited, Mr. Laughery was elected to Imasco's board of directors, while continuing to serve as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hardee's. Mr. Laughery retired from the position of chief executive officer in 1990, but continued an affiliation with the company until 1994. During his tenure, Hardee's grew from 909 units to 3,291. Earnings had an average compound earnings growth of 22 percent and sales grew by an average of 20 percent. In recent years. Mr. Laughery, with various partners, invested in Papa John's Pizza & Delivery franchised restaurants, principally in Iowa and Texas. In addition he and seven other investors owned Papa John's United, which is Papa John's largest franchisee. In total, he was an investor in 205 Papa John's restaurants. A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Mr. Laughery was also one of three investors in the Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson dealership. Mr. Laughery also served on the corporate boards of MassMutual Corporate Investors, MassMutual Participation Investors and Papa John's International Inc. Mr. Laughery received the North Carolina Restaurateur of the Year Award in 1980. In 1981, he received the prestigious International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Gold Plate Award, the highest honor bestowed within the food service industry. In 1987, he was honored as Man of the Year by the Multiple Unit Food Service Operator (MUFSO), sponsored by Nation's Restaurant News. In May of 1992, Mr. Laughery was inducted into the College Diplomates of the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association, in recognition of his support of the advancement of professionalism through education. Election to the College of Diplomates is one of the highest honors conferrable by the Education Foundation and recognizes outstanding members in the food service industry who have actively supported the advancement of professionalism through education. Mr. Laughery served as chairman of the National Restaurant Association Foundation from 1989 to 1991. Outside the food service industry, Mr. Laughery served on the Nash County Industrial Development Commission and is past president of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as Chairman of Jobs for Progress, a nonprofit organization committed to attracting new industry to the Rocky Mount area. In 1983, he was selected Rocky Mount Boss of the Year and State Boss of the Year by North Carolina Jaycees. In addition, Governor James Martin appointed Mr. Laughery to serve on the powerful State Advisory Budget Commission (1984-1990) to advise him on business trends, legislation and initiatives pertinent to North Carolina. In December 1990, Governor Martin appointed Mr. Laughery to the State Board of Transportation through 1992. He also served on the North Carolina Governor's Task Force on Abused Children (1984-1986), as Chairman of the Advisory Board for Cities in School in Rocky Mount, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the first State Board of Cities in Schools in the nation. In recognition of his civic activities, Mr. Laughery was named Outstanding Alumnus from the University of Iowa in 1983. He was also given the Algernon Sullivan Award by North Carolina Wesleyan College in the fall of 1987. Mr. Laughery was given the Distinguished Citizen Award by Eastern North Carolina Boy Scout Association in February 1988 and the prestigious Public Service Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Society of North Carolina in 1989. In February 1991, he was presented with the Rocky Mount Distinguished Citizen Award by the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mary Frances Center, a facility for the treatment of drug dependency. Mr. Laughery also served as a member of the Board of North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation, and participated on the boards of First Union Corporation, Grisanti Inc., Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Board of Trustees of Saint Mary's College, University of Iowa Foundation, North Carolina Nature Conservancy, National Advisory Council of the Small Business Administration, Board of Visitors of Davidson College, and North Carolina Wesleyan College. Recently a large Rotating Gallery was dedicated to the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount honoring Helen and Jack Laughery. In April 2004, the Helen and Jack Laughery Honorary Scholarship Endowment was established at Nash Community College. Active in state, local and federal politics, Mr. Laughery served as Alternate Delegate to the Wyoming State Convention (2002), State Finance Chairman for the NC Republican Party (1999-2000); National Finance Executive Committee-Dan Quayle for President (1999); Bush Presidential Library Board of Directors (1993-present); Small Business Administration National Advisory Council (1990-1992); Southern Finance Chairman for Bush/Quayle '92; State Finance Chairman -Jim Gardner for Governor (1991-1992); International Republican Institute Board of Directors (1990-1996); Presidential Personnel Advisory Committee (1989); Republican National Committeman-North Carolina (1988-1992) and (1992-1996); Executive Committee for North Carolina Republican Party (1988-1996); Chairman of the Security Committee-National Republican Convention (1996); Sergeant at Arms at the National Republican Convention (1992); Alternate Delegate to the National Republican Convention (1988); Delegate to the North Carolina Republican Convention (1988 and 1992); Phil Gramm for President Finance Committee-North Carolina (1995-1996), George Bush Southern Steering Committee (1988); North Carolina State Finance Chairman-Victory '88; George Bush Primary Election Committee (1988); Lt. Governor Jim Gardner Nash County Finance Chairman (1988); and Senator Jesse Helms Nash County Finance Committee (1986). Mr. Laughery was born and raised in Guthrie Center, Iowa, the son of Gerald and Mildred Ansberry Laughery. He had one sister, Judith Griffiths. All preceded him in death. In 1957, he acquired his B.A. in Business from the University of Iowa and joined the Connecticut General Life Insurance. Following two years of service in the Army, he returned to Connecticut General before joining Sandy's in 1962. Surviving Mr. Laughery are his wife, Helen Herboth of Kirksville, Missouri; his four daughters, Brenda Wienke, Kelly Laughery, Christine Laughery and Sarah McAuley; and six granddaughters and one grandson. Memorial gifts honoring Jack Laughery's life may be sent to: Jack Laughery Scholarship Fund National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation 37020 Eagle Way Chicago, IL, 60678-1370 Lakeside Baptist Church 1501 Sunset Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 The Helen and Jack Laughery Honorary Scholarship Endowment Nash Community College PO Box 7488 Rocky Mount, NC 27804-0488 A service of remembrance will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006, at Lakeside Baptist Church, with Dr. Jody Wright, the Rev. Elizabeth Edwards and the Rev. Scott White officiating. Arrangements are by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave