Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc. Boddie-Noell is a family business. They are one of the country’s largest privately held companies. From the beginning, in 1962, their number one enterprise has been Hardee’s restaurants. They opened one of the first, in Fayetteville, NC. Over the years, they have continued to grow and diversify. Today, they operate over 300 Hardee’s restaurants and have branched into other new ventures and exciting business opportunities.

Sears Merchandise Group Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually.

North Carolina Restaurant Association The purpose and mission of the NCRA is to protect, promote, inform and improve the restaurant industry in North Carolina. The NCRA lobbies the state General Assembly and regulatory agencies to safeguard the interests of its members, protecting their business interests while ensuring the safety, health and enjoyment of the dining public. In addition, they provide a host of products and services--from discount training programs to group health insurance – that help their members stay ahead of the game.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. Winn-Dixie operates supermarkets throughout the southeastern United States and the Bahamas under the Winn-Dixie, Winn-Dixie Marketplace, SaveRite, and City Market banners. For over 80 years, the Winn-Dixie name has stood for real quality and value. They are proud to have built their reputation on not only always delivering a quality product, but on constantly striving to find new ways to improve that quality. It's a tradition they are intent upon continuing far into the future.

Seven Up The Seven-Up Company's roots go back to 1920, when C. L. Grigg banked on his 30 years of experience in advertising and merchandising to form The Howdy Corporation in St. Louis, Mo. Although he named the company after the Howdy Orange drink he pioneered, his goal was to create a wholesome and distinctive soft drink that would prove irresistible to the nation's consumer

Muscular Dystrophy Association The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency — a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Variety Wholesalers, Inc. Variety Wholesalers, Inc. is a closely-held North Carolina corporation with principal corporate offices located in downtown Henderson, North Carolina.The corporation operates over 500 retail stores as of October, 2003 in 14 states in the southeastern United States.

Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc. In 1990, Otis Spunkmeyer entered the retail market by rolling out its signature cookie dough in 1 lb. and 5 lb. packages. In that same year, the company added ready-baked muffins to its line of select bakery products. Otis Spunkmeyer Muffins are available in foodservice and retail outlets throughout North America and Europe. Today, Otis Spunkmeyer muffins are the #1 premium muffin brand in retail.