Checkers

[summer of George]

Checkers to open five CT burger joints
07/07/10

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Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the largest double drive-thru chain in the United States, announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with Tommy Barnard of Nutmeg Burger Corp. for five new restaurants in and around Hartford.

The first restaurant is scheduled to open in the spring of 2011. Checkers will be joining Sonic Drive-in, as a newcomer to Connecticut's fast food scene. Sonic recently broke ground on its first Connecticut location in Wallingford and plans to open other restaurants here as well.

Checkers' development in Hartford is part of a strategic growth strategy to expand the brand's presence in existing markets, as well as in new cities across the country, the company said.

"We are confident that residents in and around Hartford will crave our incredibly flavored burgers and uniquely seasoned fries and look forward to serving the local community," said Lynette McKee, the chief development officer of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants.

This five-unit deal sells out Hartford County for future development, but the rest of Connecticut, including New Haven, is still open for expansion, the company said.

Nutmeg Burger Corp. has appointed Terry Nasiadka as director of operations to aid in Checkers' expansion efforts across the region. Nasiadka is an experienced restaurant management professional with an extensive background in multi-concept and multi-unit development and new restaurant openings.

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news13879.html

First Sonic, now Checkers - Connecticut is finally getting its share of drive-in fast-food burger joints.

The Courant's Janice Podsada reports that five Checkers Drive-In restaurants will open in Greater Hartford in the next five years. Several locations are being considered, including the Berlin Turnpike, Manchester, Enfield, Southington and Bristol.

Checkers' menu features big burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken wings, seasoned French fries and milkshakes. Currently, the chain is advertising a special on burgers made with three varieties of flavored bacon. Checkers has more than 800 U.S. locations.

For those on Sonic Drive-In watch, the Sonic of CT organization reported on its Facebook page last night that its second planned location in Manchester has been approved. The first is scheduled to open on Route 5 in Wallingford later this summer.

http://weblogs.ctnow.com/entertainment/ ... -five.html

[summer of George]

Five Checkers Drive-In Restaurants will open in Greater Hartford in the next five years.

Simsbury-based Nutmeg Burger Corp. and Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. signed a multi-store development agreement Wednesday. The first Checkers restaurant is scheduled to open next spring, said Tommy Barnard, 42, head of Nutmeg Burger. The restaurant's arrival will mark Checkers' first foray into New England.

"I can't say where the first restaurant will open because we're still in negotiations," Barnard said. Several locations are being considered, he said, including the Berlin Turnpike, Manchester, Enfield, Southington and Bristol.



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The distinctive red, white and black Checkers restaurants boast a double drive-through, with an ordering window on either side of the drive-through — allowing passengers to place orders.

The Tampa, Fla., chain specializes in hamburgers, seasoned fries, milk shakes and chicken. "It's a simple menu done right," Barnard said.

"My goal, at minimum, is to open one restaurant each year over the next five years, but hopefully it will be faster than that," said Barnard, who also owns Connecticut Cottages, a Simsbury property management firm.

"I have deep roots in my hometown of Hartford and I'm thrilled to expand Checkers' presence in the area," Barnard said.

Checkers has more than 800 locations in the United States. "It's very prevalent in the South," Barnard said. "They're in great numbers in New York and New Jersey."

Checkers signature menu items include the Big Buford, Champ burgers and bone-in wings. It is the largest double drive-in restaurant chain in the United States.

http://www.ctnow.com/business/hc-checke ... 8351.story

[GA Holsome]

do they have a 50 cent menu? also i could use a ride there.

[enforcer]

They have a Checkers on the Thruway. Food wasn't bad at all.

[MWS1980]

havent been to one in years but i stopped at that one in the Bronx right off of 95 a few years ago and had a real good banana milkshake.

[ShawnO]

There is a Checkers in Wilmington, Delaware..where North Market Street becomes Philadelphia Pike...in the parking lot that is shared with the old Sears building (I believe the old Sears building now houses some State of Delaware offices). It's been there for quite some time...and they've always had decent food. The Checkers on Oregon Avenue near Broad Street in South Philadelphia is not bad as well.

[summer of George]

i was going to go to that one in Philly last year but got complaints from some people about eating there and ended up going to a diner for a chicken cheese sandwich. during that meal i had to go outside and beg the meter dude not to give me a ticket.