Checkers Grand Re-Opening

Legendary Quick Service Drive-Thru Chain, Checkers®, Hosts Grand Re-Opening at Original Pinellas County Location

Expanded Menu, Extended Store Hours, and Multiple Build-out Options Fuel Impressive Unit Growth and Drive Presence in Existing and New Markets

 

Largo, FL – Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (Checkers), the largest double drive-thru chain in the United States, will host a grand re-opening event on March 9, 2013, at its Pinellas County restaurant, located at 3150 East Bay Drive. The re-opening is part of a strategic expansion strategy Checkers has undergone to fuel continued growth throughout the country and to build brand presence in existing and new markets. Herb Brown, founder and former CEO of Checkers will join current CEO, Rick Silva to assist in the ribbon cutting ceremony. To generate buzz for the grand re-opening, on March 9 starting at 10am, Checker’s is offering FREE Combo Meals for an entire year to the first 100 guests in line.

 

“I am honored to join Mr. Silva and the rest of the Checkers community in the celebration of this grand re-opening,” said Herb Brown, who led the brand in various roles from 1987-1996. “The Largo restaurant was the third Checkers location I opened in the state of Florida and the re-opening is a sign of the brand’s vitality and strength in recent years.”

 

With nearly 800 restaurants and 25 plus years of experience, Checkers is consistently ranked highest in overall value by guests in the category, and has continued to thrive despite the economic downturn. The re-opening of the Largo location is another example of the company’s vibrant growth and continued dedication to its guests.  

 

“We are constantly creating new ways to further develop markets where we have a presence and where our guests are familiar with and excited about our brand,” said Rick Silva, CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. “With increased traffic and a much stronger surrounding business community, we’ve re-opened the Largo location to create new jobs and reignite the passion for Checkers in the community.”

 

Checkers has 300 company-owned and operated restaurants, enabling the brand to ensure products and initiatives are properly tested prior to rollout to the brand’s franchise system. In fact, Checkers recently added new product lines, such as the Classic Wings and Cold Creations to their menu in both company-owned and franchised restaurants. While the company continues to innovate, it has also stayed true to its menu simplicity and craveable food.

 

“With a seasoned and principled leadership and support team in place and our new initiatives from menu development and expanded restaurant hours to our new build-out options at multiple levels to help restaurateurs of all sizes own a business, we have heard an outstanding response from our guests and franchisees,” said Jennifer Durham, Vice-President of Franchise Development for Checkers/Rally’s. “In fact, with these new facets in place and a strong national presence, company and franchise-owned restaurants led the category in same-store sales performance in 2012, which is another indicator of our continued success in 2013 and beyond.”

 

In addition to development in the Tampa area, Checkers continues to grow nationally with opportunities for ownership available in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, New York, Detroit and Boston, among other cities.

 

ABOUT CHECKERS

Checkers/Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. is the largest double drive-thru restaurant chain in the United States. The company develops, owns, operates and franchises both Checkers and Rally’s® restaurants. Based in Tampa, Florida, it has almost 800 restaurants open across the U.S. In recent years, the brand has been awarded several of the industry’s most prestigious awards including: “Best Drive-Thru in America” by QSR Magazine and the “Hot! Again Award” from Nation’s Restaurant News. For more information about Checkers, please visit www.checkers.com.

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