Checkers Restaurants Expanding in Brooklyn

March 9, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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By Linda Collins

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BROOKLYN — Checkers/Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants Inc., one of the largest double drive-thru restaurant chains in the U.S., is expanding and Brooklyn diners will benefit.

Checkers franchise owner Richard Bowditch, a resident of Brooklyn who currently operates two Checkers restaurants — 491 Nostrand Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant; and 2115 Nostrand Ave. adjacent to Brooklyn College — has recently signed a deal to open additional Checkers locations in the next few years.

Bowditch described the area of expansion where he is seeking restaurant space as being north of Eastern Parkway (an exception was made for the Brooklyn College location) to Williamsburg and east to Bushwick.

The two stores already in operation are doing very well, according to Bowditch.

“We offer a great tasty meal for not very much money,” said the former Gourmet magazine professional.

What he and Checkers hope to accomplish is a bigger foothold in Brooklyn.

“It’s a brand that is very popular with a public that knows about it,” he said, adding that some new initiatives from Checkers have spurred better sales numbers, such as the introduction of the “Cold Creations” menu line and extending hours.

Based in Tampa, the company develops, owns, operates and franchises both Checkers and Rally’s restaurants and has more than 800 restaurants open across the U.S.

Bowditch, who has a silent partner, said his operator is Mohammed Elsaadiny, a resident of Queens.