Popeye’s and Little Caesar’s Franchisees Add Checkers® to Growing Business Portfolio
Tampa, FL (PRWEB) June 27, 2014 -- Checkers and Rally’s Restaurants, Inc. (Checkers®), the largest double drive-thru chain in the United States, continues to attract experienced entrepreneurs hoping to continue the brand’s growth in new and existing markets. In the brand’s latest developments, long-time friends and business partners Zeyad Farr and Khaled Hajahmed opened their first Checkers restaurant at 1801 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY on March 25, 2014.
“We continue to move Checkers forward by increasing our brand awareness through franchising relationships with growth-focused entrepreneurs like Zeyad and Khaled. Based on their experience and success with their other ventures, the pair is well positioned for success,” Jennifer Durham, Vice President of Franchise Development of Checkers and Rally’s Restaurants, Inc., said. “Zeyad and Khaled are excited about this opportunity, and we are excited about having them on our team to continue our brand’s steady growth in the competitive New York market.”
The business partners, who swiftly became friends after meeting in the first grade, join Checkers with a combined experience of more than 30 years as franchise restaurant owners. Hajahmed first arrived in the U.S. 25 years ago, and worked as a Domino’s Pizza manager for three years before becoming a multi-unit franchisee of the brand. Zeyad similarly found success in the franchise industry after joining Hajahmed from Palestine, and opened 17 Dunkin Donuts stores with three business associates.
After almost a decade, Hajahmed and Farr both decided to sell their businesses in pursuit of a franchise with a greater potential for growth. In 2011, the duo joined forces to take over an existing Popeye’s restaurant in Brooklyn and have since increased the store’s sales by more than 50 percent. Continuing the momentum of success, the partners also opened a Little Caesar’s Pizza restaurant. They look forward to growing their portfolio with Checkers, as the pair has signed a three-unit deal with the brand, and will develop the franchise alongside the opening of two more Popeye’s restaurants.
“I believe the future for Checkers is good in the New York market and business will be strong,” Hajahmed said. “We worked hard to get to where we are, including taking our time to find a good location for the restaurant. We will run our business the right way and hire the right people to make sure our restaurant thrives.”
In addition to ensuring success through effective management, the pair is also confident in the brand’s products. 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.
“The Checkers franchise opportunity continues to draw interest from business savvy entrepreneurs, who see our constant menu innovation and growth opportunities in new and existing markets as being a recipe for success,” Durham said. “This new development highlights the opportunity that Checkers provides for franchisees to build a successful restaurant portfolio.”
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 and Rally’s 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. In 2013, Checkers/Rally’s was listed among the top 5 food franchises by Franchise Business Review. For more information about Checkers, please visit http://www.checkers.com.
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Greg Avdoian, No Limit Agency, 312.526.3996, [email protected]
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