Hardee's officials announced Wednesday that the restaurant chain's first-ever establishment, located in Rocky Mount, NC will be demolished March 12.

Hardee's, which was headquartered in Rocky Mount until 2001, said the restaurant at 321 N. Church St. served as the foundation for a chain that now includes 2,400 The Rocky Mount location, which opened on May 5, 1961, once served hamburgers for 15 cents and soft drinks for a dime.

Following the demolition of the restaurant, the city of Rocky Mount will begin construction of a park in honor of Jack Laughery, former chairman of Hardee's