Checkers & Rally’s is rapidly expanding across Arizona markets with its network of existing operators.
With its unique double drive-thru and bold flavors, Checkers & Rally’s has established a strong presence in Phoenix, which is known for its vibrant economy and diverse population. The brand’s rapid market growth comes as a result of dedicated multi-unit operators who continue to add Checkers & Rally’s units to their portfolios. These developments not only strengthen Checkers & Rally’s position in the region, but also showcase its commitment to achieving nationwide expansion objectives.
Bruce Ong, who’s been affiliated with the brand since 2001, currently owns and manages three Rally’s locations situated in Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe. Following the remarkable performance of his existing stores, Ong is gearing up to develop more units throughout the state. Similarly, business partners Dan Leung and Fred Bux, along with separate operator Tony Williams, were drawn to the brand due to its compact store design and kitchen efficiency. Both groups share the ambition to grow their respective ventures, leveraging their past achievements to extend the brand’s reach and introduce its extensive offerings and value pricing to a larger audience.
“Our brand’s commitment to quality and value has truly resonated with the local community in Phoenix and across the state,” says Kris McDonald, VP of Development at Checkers & Rally’s Drive in Restaurants. “It’s reassuring to see our franchisees recognizing this positive response and eagerly expanding their portfolios. We’re proud to be a part of the communities we serve and look forward to continued growth in the state.”
Also adding more Checkers & Rally’s units to their dynamic portfolio, Air Force veteran and franchise owner Keith Gallagher, alongside his business partner Gautam Ramchandani, are the current owners of several other concepts including Weinerschnitzel, Auntie Anne’s, and Cinnabon. After spending 28 years in the UFAC, Gallagher and his partner were attracted to the brand’s extensive corporate support and revenue potential. With plans on opening a second Arizona location in the upcoming months, the duo looks forward to continuing rapid expansion across the state.
“As a restaurant operator in Phoenix, I’ve observed a significant upswing in market growth,” adds Gallagher. “The enthusiastic support from our local customers has set us up to explore further expansion opportunities in this thriving city. We’re eager to maintain our commitment to serving the Phoenix community and contributing to its ongoing and vibrant development.”
Checkers & Rally’s demonstrates a strong dedication to ongoing brand investment, driven by their optimistic outlook on the substantial returns and room for multi-unit scalability. The expansion into Arizona reflects the company’s proactive approach to cultivating innovative drive-thru solutions and improving customer interactions to propel the drive-thru industry forward. By embarking on this strategic expansion, Checkers & Rally’s reinforces its role as a pioneer in the quick-service space, continually pushing the envelope in terms of flavor innovation, operational efficiency and community integration.
Merged in 1999 to form one concept, Checkers & Rally’s primarily operates through a proven franchise model, in which owners benefit from the brand recognition, development support, and marketing resources. Potential franchise prospects can develop on less than half of an acre, which is half the size of competing drive-thru concepts. Checkers & Rally’s current strategy is targeting select markets throughout the United States, particularly in Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Las Vegas, Arizona, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
