Checkers coming to Milford [Connecticut Post, Bridgeport]

Sept. 02--Fairfield County residents soon will have another option for the American classic combo of burgers, shakes and fries as Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. plans on opening five locations in the area.

The Tampa, Fla.-based franchisor with 502 locations, primarily east of the Mississippi River, recently entered into a multi-store development agreement with Kerrim Jivani of Marlboro, N.J. The former Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins franchisee expects to open Connecticut's first Checkers in Milford in the spring of next year.

"If we do the right management, advertising and service, then there's a good opportunity to grow in Connecticut," said Jivani, who is eyeing two potential locations for his first Checkers and hopes to open one restaurant a year. "If everything goes well, I'd like to grow more."

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, a Lorton, Va.-based franchisor with almost 600 locations, in January opened in Westport, and Burger, Shakes & Fries, a Greenwich eatery, plans to open its second location in Darien later this month.

Checkers, which was founded in 1986 and in 1999 merged with Rally's Drive-In Restaurants of Louisville, Ky., recently inked a five-unit development agreement for the Hartford area as well.

"In the next six to seven years, we hope to have about 15 restaurants in the market," said Lynette McKee, Checkers' chief development officer.

The company, which claims to be the largest double drive-thru restaurant chain in the United States, is working on a few other undisclosed franchise deals in Connecticut and also plans to bring about 15 more restaurants to New York City, where it operates 11 locations, McKee said.

"We're doing a lot of growth in New York City," she said. The company has about 25 Checkers in the tri-state area. "For this year, New York will be 40 percent of the brand's growth."

Checkers' growth in the New York metropolitan area spurred the decision to move into the Connecticut market, Jivani said.

"The New York and New Jersey market is too tight right now," he said. "Connecticut is wide open."

Checkers, which opened 38 U.S. locations last year, is looking to develop its presence in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Detroit and other major cities.

"We do a lot of recruitment and are always reaching out into the industry," McKee said. "We're hamburgers and other complimentary sandwiches, and the best French fries you'll ever eat."

Prospective franchisees need a minimum net worth of $750,000 and liquid assets of at least $250,000 to get a Checkers.

The number of quick-service restaurants is projected to grow 3.2 percent this year as a result of consumers spending less in an uncertain economy, said Alisa Harrison, vice president of communications for the International Franchise Association in Washington.

"People are looking for good food at a great price," she said, adding that the offer of burgers, shakes and fries consistently attracts customers if executed well. "It comes down to what the franchise offers."

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