Checkers & Rally's Sets the Table for Its Next Stage of Growth

Checkers & Rally’s isn’t relying on a single initiative to fuel its next chapter of growth. The iconic double drive-thru brand is refreshing existing restaurants, strengthening its leadership team, and finding new places to serve its famous burgers and seasoned fries.

For existing and prospective franchisees, the strategy offers a combination of stronger existing restaurants and more options for future growth.

A major piece of that strategy is Checkers & Rally’s ongoing reimaging campaign. The company expects to remodel about 50 corporate-owned restaurants in 2026, with franchise locations beginning to follow suit.

So far, the results are encouraging. The reimaged flagship restaurant in Apopka, Florida, reported a 21.8% increase in net sales and a 17.7% increase in traffic compared with its pre-remodel performance. The company has reported comparable results in its Daytona market.

But the work goes deeper than a fresh coat of paint. The reimaging program combines updated restaurants with operational improvements designed to strengthen unit economics. It complements the brand’s “This Eats Different” positioning, menu innovation, and continued emphasis on value.

Building the Team for Growth

Checkers & Rally’s is also adding experienced leadership to help move those efforts forward.

In August, Peter Busse joined the company as chief development officer, bringing more than 20 years of restaurant development experience. Most recently vice president of development at Torchy’s Tacos, Busse previously spent more than a decade with Yum! Brands.

At Checkers & Rally’s, he will oversee new-unit growth, acquisitions, remodels, real estate, design, construction, and franchise development.

The company has also tapped Clint Donahue, formerly with Jamba Juice, as vice president of franchise operations. Together, the appointments add experience in developing restaurants and supporting the operators who run them.

That foundation becomes increasingly important as Checkers & Rally’s explores new ways to put its nearly 700-unit brand in front of more customers.

Thinking Outside the Drive-Thru

The brand’s familiar small-footprint model is opening doors to places far beyond the traditional roadside restaurant.

Checkers & Rally’s already operates concessions at three major Florida sports venues, including Orlando’s Kia Center, Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, and Benchmark International Arena. Airports, college campuses, convenience stores, ghost kitchens, and other high-traffic venues represent additional growth possibilities.

The venues also give Checkers & Rally’s a place to test smaller kitchens, streamlined menus, and new operating configurations while putting the brand in front of thousands of consumers.

The economics can be attractive, too. With ground-up restaurant development becoming increasingly expensive, non-traditional locations can provide access to existing high-traffic real estate without requiring the land and construction associated with a traditional freestanding restaurant.

That flexibility gives franchisees more choices for how and where they grow. They can pursue traditional restaurants, explore smaller footprints, consider non-traditional venues, or potentially acquire existing locations as the company continues transferring restaurants to qualified operators.

With reimaged restaurants showing encouraging early results, new development leadership in place, and more real estate options opening up, Checkers & Rally’s is positioning itself for its next stage of expansion. Learn more about joining the iconic brand at checkersfranchising.com.

SPONSORED BY:
Checkers & Rally's Restaurants, Inc.
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