Hardee's
Last inspected: Apr 24, 2026
55
Score
Hardee's has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 24, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around 10 violations each, up from closer to eight violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “floors, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris”, showing up seven times.
That's lower than the typical Lake Butler restaurant, which scores around 78. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 24, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Quaternary sanitizer solution buckets through kitchen over 500+ turned strip bright blue. Operator reset buckets to 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-15-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda nozzles of lobby soda dispenser with syrup build up interior of nozzle.
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling air vents through kitchen with dust build up.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone stored at biscuit prep station on container of single use gloves.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelf opposite prep sink, clean plastic containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Walk in freezer floor raised and no longer easily cleanable.
36-12-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Soda syrup box stored on floor in front of bag and box system.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Drive through soda dispenser with mold like substance build up on face plate of dispenser behind nozzles and outside of ice chute. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Grill cleaning glove stored on shelf over wrapped breads. Operator removed the grill gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
55
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table at front of cook line, sausage (126F - Hot Holding); ham (124F - Hot Holding) operator placed items back on grill, both reheated over 165F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three compartment sink quaternary solution over 400+ ppm turns strip bast color concentration chart, operator adjusted and diluted twice. **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the flip top reach in cooler next to the flat top grill, ham (48F - Cold Holding) reach in cooler pushed up against grill, operator relocated trash can between grill and reach in cooler and relocated the ham. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One expired food handler training certificate.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bread rack blocking hand wash sink in storage area, operator relocated the bread. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Hand wash sink at drive through dispenser not functioning, operator waiting on replacement dispenser. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-05-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On center shelf of storage area, clean containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floors, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor of walk in freezer with build up of debris, operator had employee sweet. Kitchen air vents with mold like substance on vent. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris on top plate of both cook line microwaves.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Front counter reach in cooler door gasket soiled. Hood filters over fryers over fryers with debris build up. Hood cleaning scheduled for Monday. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid open. Employee closed lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
37
Feb 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
47
Sep 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink at drive through counter, water turned off and work order submitted for repair. **Corrective Action Taken**
27-16-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. At time of inspection current license provided is expired 06/01/2023.
50-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach and body parts of other roach observed on floor of storage room closest the rear exterior door.
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Used employees aprons stored on boxes of soda syrup. Operator relocated the aprons. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floors, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. Ceiling air vents have dust/mold like substance staining. Floor of the walk in freezer soiled with debris. Build up of debris on floor under shelves and equipment. Wall and pipe next to cook line grill have grease build up. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on cook line closest the pass through window has build up of old food debris inside the microwave.
22-08-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Both dumpsters missing drain plugs.
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple reach in cooler door gaskets and walk in cooler door gasket with mold like substance on the door gaskets. Hot holding unit by the fryers has debris build up on shelves over unit. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Boxes of paper towel rolls stored on the floor of the storage room. Operator had employee relocated the boxes. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Uncovered boxes of beef patties in the walk in freezer. Operator covered the boxes. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Mop sink faucet leaking from faucet while turned off.
29-11-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop head stored on the floor in back storage room. Operator relocated the mop. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
52
Jun 13, 2024
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floors, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. Accumulation of food debris on the walls of the back room closest the rear exterior door. Dust build up on the ceiling vents through the kitchen area. Floors by the fryers have build up of grease and food debris. Floor of the walk in cooler has build up of food debris. Walls over char oven have build up of food grease. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-13: Wall over char oven on equipment has build up of grease. Ceiling vents and air vents over grill cook line dusty. **Admin Complaint**
36-73-4
95
Apr 12, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the portable prep station cooler, buttermilk (52F - Cold Holding); chicken (49F - Cold Holding) operator noticed the cooler was unplugged and replugged in. Per operator placed out 30 minutes prior to inspection, relocated all items to the walk in freezer. at conclusion of inspection all items back in temperature range. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker installed over splitter on the mop sink. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Bulk ice bin has mold like substance around the chute. Microwave on the cook line has accumulation of food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink opposite the fryers used to store knife. Operator removed the knife. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Cardboard box used as garbage container. Cardboard boxes stored on the cook line lined with a plastic bag to catch and discard grease from the flat top grill, per operator bag and box then discarded into the dumpster. Discussed with operator alternative procedures of grease waste removal. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
33-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the storage shelf in the middle of the prep area, clean containers stacked while wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Floors, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris. Accumulation of food debris on the walls of the back room closest the rear exterior door. Dust build up on the ceiling vents through the kitchen area. Floors by the fryers have build up of grease and food debris. Floor of the walk in cooler has build up of food debris. Walls over char oven have build up of food grease. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Garbage stored on the floor by the rear exterior door on the inside and outside of establishment.
33-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Multiple cooler door gaskets with mold like substance spots building up. Build up of grease and food debris under char oven. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Sanitizer solution stored on prep table next to the steam well. Operator relocated the sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop head stored inside of mop sink, not hung to dry.
42-01-4
43
Mar 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Comminuted meat not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 17 seconds or equivalent time/temperature combination as specified in cooking chart. Item cooked on broiler across from walk-in freezer: hamburger (151F - Cooking). Manager placed hamburger on broiler to finish cooking, 168F. **Corrected On-Site**
03C-06-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of rubbing alcohol stored on front counter next to condiments. Manager removed bottle of rubbing alcohol from front counter. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Hose side of splitter in mop sink area.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Walk-in cooler shelves. Interior of ice machine next to mop sink. Water nozzles for front counter tea machines. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pickles dumped in hand washing sink in front of walk-in freezer.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand washing sink outside of office. Manager had employee place paper towels at hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents throughout the kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Ice bucket not inverted between uses. Ice buckets stored in walk-in freezer.
10-14-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Both dumpsters next to storage shed.
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets of reach-in cooler next to cook line fryers. Area around soda nozzles of dining room soda machine. Sides of front counter mixer machine.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers stored above three compartment sink.
16-46-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster next to storage shed.
33-16-4
35
Aug 14, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Buttermilk, chicken 48-50F. Person in charge states has been in unit for 3 hours, unit plug does not function well per person in charge. Person in charge discarded buttermilk, added ice to unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee working with cleaning tools for floor, then return to cookline to work with food, place on gloves without hand wash. Person in charge spoke to employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. 1 bag of shredded cheese with mold like substance on product.
01B-07-4
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 10 ants on floor in back door area. Observed too many to count in external dry storage shed with single service items. **Warning**
35A-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of black door on ice machine with mold like substance buildup.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink inoperable at front counter. Person in charge states has work order in. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Missing at mop sink.
29-18-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors with debris buildup under equipment, storage racks throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Edge of container holding flour with missing edge. Observed other containers in clean dish area with missing pieces. **Repeat Violation**
14-38-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Clean ladles with debris buildup.
16-48-4
37
Feb 23, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Liquid from top of reach in freezer for ice cream freezer poured into uncovered ice cream cup when lid was opened. Person in charge discarded and covered ice cream. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler by cooktop liquid egg at 49F. Observed water in the bottom of unit, ambient of unit 49F. Person in charge will not utilize cooler until unit is holding proper temperature. Person in charge moved liquid egg to freezer to cool rapidly. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Multiuse food-contact surface not smooth, free of breaks/cracks/chips/pits/crevices. Cracked edge of plastic hot holding container observed in clean dish area. Person in charge discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
14-16-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee filling sanitizer bucket in hand wash sink. Also, pan stored in hand wash sink by prep sink. Items were removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed multiple items wet nesting at clean dish area.
24-08-4
Basic - Floors walls, and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors behind ice machine, at fryer with debris buildup. Wall along triple sink with mold like substance buildup at caulking. Ceiling with dust buildup in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing from hand wash sink by walk in cooler. Also paper towel dispenser not functioning at hand wash sink by prep sink. Person in charge fixed dispenser during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Speed racks in walk in cooler with debris buildup. Soda plates in dining room drink dispenser with mold like substance buildup. Rust buildup in cabinet under soda dispenser in dining room. Not smooth and easily cleanable.
23-03-4
50
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Comminuted meat not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 17 seconds or equivalent time/temperature combination as specified in cooking chart. Breakfast steak cooked to 147F. Person in charge states is raw product, Hardee's policy is to cook to 165F.
03C-06-5
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed two shell eggs in walk in cooler with cracks, also observed one shell egg in reach in cooler with crack.
01B-14-4
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed many ants in storage shed. Also observed 5 lizard droppings in storage shed. Also observed 3 dead insects on counter by self service soda in dining room. Person in charge began cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ceiling of ice bin with mold like substance buildup. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. In back chemical storage area.
36-36-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Light observed under back door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under breading station, cabinet under soda station with debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed container in clean dish area with cracked corner, missing piece.
14-38-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Missing at both dumpsters.
33-11-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed two containers with old labels in clean dish area. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drink in walk in cooler stored on shelf over food to be served to customers. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go items not inverted in kitchen. Person in charge inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hardee's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hardee's on file is from Apr 24, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hardee's?
Across the inspection record, “floors, walls and ceiling soiled/has accumulation of debris” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Hardee's.
How does Hardee's compare to other restaurants in Lake Butler?
Hardee's most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake Butler average of 78.
Has Hardee's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Hardee's have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Hardee's means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Hardee's inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hardee's is inspected around three times per year on average.
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