From Rags to Riches: Former Refugee Helps Drive Checkers® Success in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids, WI (PRWEB) December 09, 2013 -- Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (Checkers/Rally’s®), the largest double drive-thru chain in the United States, is excited to announce the transfer of ownership of the restaurant at 1840 8th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494, to Ghani Ashan.
Ashan, who has an inspirational story of arriving in the U.S. as a refugee from Afghanistan, has applied his strong work ethic to reposition the existing Wisconsin Rapids location for success. The restaurant’s sales and operations have improved significantly since Ashan’s acquisition, with sales increasing by over 4 percent.
“We’re thrilled to have Ghani join the team and bring his hard-working spirit and well-rounded experiences to launch the Wisconsin Rapid location to new heights,” Jennifer Durham, Vice President of Franchise Development of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., said. “Our owners and employees are the driving force behind our brand’s success and this development shows healthy progress toward growing our brand and further establishing ourselves as a leader in the burger industry.”
Arriving in 1983 with one shirt, a pair of pants, and $64, Ashan started his life in America as a factory worker before moving on to washing dishes at a Greek restaurant in New Jersey. After his brother joined him in the country, Ashan moved to New York, working and saving money toward fulfilling his goal of owning his own business. In 1992, this dream was fulfilled when he entered a partnership to open a Kennedy Fried Chicken restaurant. By 2010, Ashan and his partner successfully grew to operate seven locations.
However, in search of taking his restaurant ownership experience to the next level, Ashan sold his chicken restaurants and relocated to Wisconsin to join the Checkers team. “I wanted to work with a well-known franchise that had a strong system in place,” he said.
Ashan hopes to continue moving forward with Checkers, with the aim of finding partners to join him in opening three additional locations within the next two years. “I believe it is important for the owner to be on site. Every single store needs to have at least one partner present. I’m in the restaurant day and night – it’s like my home. I oversee the service, food production, and respond to enquiries immediately,” Ashan said.
“The Checkers franchise opportunity continues to draw interest from seasoned restaurant operators, who see the constant menu innovation and growth opportunities in new markets as being a recipe for success,” Durham said.
Checkers continues to add craveable menu selections and introduce daring flavors to its fans. Options such as Monsterella Stix, Cold Creations and the original Big Buford® aim to bring the freshest ingredients and boldest flavors to hungry guests. The company continues to innovate, and remains true to its commitment to provide crazy good food at an exceptional value.
Checkers continues to grow, with opportunities for ownership available in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C, among other cities.
ABOUT CHECKERS
Checkers 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, Fla., 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 http://www.checkers.com.
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Lauren Kaminski, No Limit Agency, http://www.nolimitagency.com, 312.526.3996, [email protected]
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