Checkers & Rally's Attracting Franchisees, Experiencing Growth, and Maximizing Technology

Checkers & Rally's Attracting Franchisees, Experiencing Growth, and Maximizing Technology

Checkers & Rally's Attracting Franchisees, Experiencing Growth, and Maximizing Technology

Iconic burger brand Checkers & Rally’s is coming off a banner year and racing through the new one. The drive-thru chain known for its "craveable" food, famous fries, and exceptional value was virtually unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic and, in fact, saw an uptick in business thanks to its drive-thru lanes, walk-up windows, and e-commerce capabilities.

Demand for Checkers & Rally’s locations is now growing coast-to-coast with potential investors and franchisees identifying areas where they could expand with the brand.

So far this year, the brand has signed agreements with new franchisees, some being the top franchisees in the country, for 31 units, and several of those agreements are in new markets for the brand (places like East Bay, California, Knoxville, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Columbia, South Carolina).  A number of these agreements are multi-unit development deals where franchisees will open 5 or more units. Add up all the numbers and Checkers & Rally’s will have just shy of 900 restaurants operating across 28 states.

Earlier this year, experienced franchise operator Shawn Danesh signed on to open 15 Rally's restaurants over the next 6 years in the Orange County, California area. This move alone will increase the Checkers & Rally’s brand's California footprint by 20%.

Danesh says he was attracted to the brand because it is a "growth company, where the executives are always available and easy to work with."

"We’re already in the process of getting our first two sites open, one in Garden Grove and the other in Tustin, and our third location will be in La Habra," says Danesh. "We want to be the Rally’s player in Orange County."

The brand isn’t only relying on its virtually recession-resistant business model, but is also busy improving efficiencies in other places. One key initiative is the brand’s new "Restaurant of the Future" design. It features not only a new look, but also a digital-only drive-thru lane and revamped kitchen with several new pieces of cooking equipment. The kitchen’s new layout improves efficiency and the working environment for employees. The traditional flattop grills of the past have been replaced by new clamshell grills that help speedup cooking times and orders while minimizing opportunities for human error.

"The improvements in the guest experience, the speed of service, and even same-store sales are material," said Checkers & Rally’s CEO Frances Allen of the new restaurant design. “We’ve used technology to make operations more efficient for employees.” Since the new design’s introduction, another 19 current Checkers & Rally’s franchisees have signed on to implement the Restaurant of the Future model.

Checkers multi-unit franchisee Ali Chunara operates 32 locations in the Southeast. He recently signed a new 5-store agreement and is set to open his first of those locations in Columbia, South Carolina early next year. He says he’s seen the brand’s new Restaurant of the Future model and likes the layout. "It simplifies operations and we plan to do it in a couple of our stores," he says.

The Tampa-based Checkers & Rally’s has gotten plenty of attention from the franchise industry. The brand has been recognized as "Best Franchise Deal" and "Best Drive-Thru in America'' by QSR Magazine; "Top Food and Beverage Franchise'' by Franchise Business Review; the "Hot! Again" award from Nation's Restaurant News, "#1 Most Craveable Fries'' by Restaurant Business in 2021; and the company has consistently been ranked on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500.

It's easy to see why Checkers & Rally’s offers a great investment opportunity for qualified franchisees. To find out more about the brand, investment requirements, and open territories visit checkersfranchising.com to find out more about how to team up with the #1 drive-thru brand in America.

SPONSORED BY:
Checkers & Rally's Restaurants, Inc.
Checkers Drive-In restaurant franchises are small but efficient making our restaurants easy to operate and typically reduced overhead costs. Learn More

Published: August 10th, 2021

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