Franchising

Checkers & Rally's opens stand-alone unit in Houston

Photo: Checkers & Rally's

June 16, 2025

Checkers & Rally's will open a standalone location in Houston this month. The restaurant is under the helm of husband-and-wife duo Salimah and Aqeel Virani, according to a press release.

"We've been watching Checkers & Rally's grow across Texas, and we knew the time was right to bring that momentum to Houston in a bigger way," said Aqeel Virani. "While a lot of brands are still figuring out how to adapt, this brand already has the systems and speed in place. For us, it wasn't just a smart move—it felt like the right move."

Salimah has spent years in the restaurant industry and will lead day-to-day operations and be the face of the restaurant within the community, while Aqueel brings a background in engineering and corporate strategy, with a strong focus on building systems, optimizing performance, and scaling with intention.

"Aqeel and Salimah represent the kind of passionate, driven owners and operators we look for to grow the Checkers brand," Robert Bhagwandat, senior director of franchise development at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, said in the press release. "As we expand across Houston, the opening of our first stand-alone restaurant in the market is a major milestone. With their leadership, we're confident this location will deliver the legendary taste, undeniable value, and game-changing innovation that define a fearlessly original Checkers experience."