News

Checkers kicks of 2011 with development deal

February 22, 2011

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. has signed agreements with four franchisees to develop 12 new restaurants in the West Bronx, New York City, Detroit, Philadelphia and Baltimore throughout the next several years.

Checkers' development in these major metropolitan cities is part of a meticulous growth strategy to expand the brand's presence in existing markets, as well as in new regions across the country.

Locations targeted include:

• Four units are to be developed in the West Bronx by Vijay Ghei of Fordham Foods (USA) Inc. The first unit is scheduled to open in November 2011 with the remaining three to be completed by 2014.
• Mark Latshaw of Ken-Mar Drive-Thru LLC plans to open two new restaurants in Detroit. The first location is set to open in March 2011 and the second is scheduled for July 2011.
• Jiger and Kalpesh Patel have signed on to open four new Checkers in Philadelphia, with the first one scheduled to open in May 2011. The partners will develop the remaining three restaurants throughout the next three years.
• Mushtaq Cheema, Mahmood Ahmad and Misbah I. Malik have agreed to open two restaurants in Hagerstown, Md. outside of Baltimore.

"We're excited to start 2011 with a full pipeline of new restaurants planned for development in our key markets," said Lynette McKee, Checkers' chief development officer. "Checkers' success and continued growth stems from our passionate franchisees who provide incredibly craveable food and high quality customer service to our guests every day. We look forward to the opening of these 12 new restaurants and becoming an integral part of their respective communities."

Currently, Checkers has more than 800 restaurants open across the United States. The company is seeking to add several new development agreements in key markets and eventually reach about 1,200 units.

“To be functional as a larger organization, we believe we need to get to 1,200 units,” McKee said. “We are laying a platform for next year through 2013, but our first benchmark is getting to that 1,200 equation.”

Markets currently being targeted for growth include New York, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Providence and Orlando.

With four unique building designs to choose from, new and existing franchisees are provided with a wider range of development options. Each design prototype is flexible and can be easily adapted to a variety of locations including airports, universities and turnpike plazas.

Checkers is now actively seeking franchise candidates. Candidates should possess a minimum net worth of $750,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000; however, financial qualifications will vary based on the opportunity available by market.

Recently, Checkers unleashed a new, robust digital campaign that includes a revised website a companion mobile web experience, a comprehensive franchise sales website and a broad-reaching social media strategy, featuring both Facebook and Twitter.