Rally’s, known in St. Louis for the Checkers & Rally’s brand, is planning significant local expansion. The burger-and-fries chain aims to increase its number of restaurants in the metro area from around 20 to about 35 and will introduce a new prototype design for its drive-thrus. If plans proceed, Rally’s will open new locations while updating existing restaurants with a refreshed logo and design.
Local growth plan, new look
KSDK reports that the expansion and remodel plan will include both new construction and renovations of existing Rally’s locations to align with the chain’s latest prototype. The rollout coincides with a redesigned logo and updated design intended to modernize the drive-thru experience.
Parent company and national push
According to a corporate press release via PR Newswire, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the Tampa-based operator of the Checkers and Rally’s brands, has been preparing the national infrastructure to support growth. The company notes that it already manages hundreds of restaurants nationwide and has been implementing distribution and operational changes to facilitate faster expansion.
How the chain finds sites
Checkers & Rally’s has been relying on data and its real-estate team to determine locations for new restaurants. According to industry coverage and company announcements highlighted by QSRWeb, the brand works with analytics partners to identify white space and accelerate market planning. These location-intelligence tools help corporate and franchise operators evaluate where compact, double-drive-thru stores are likely to perform best.
What it could mean for neighborhoods
Developers note that Rally’s double-drive-thru design and relatively small footprint allow the chain to use compact parcels and convert vacant corners into operating restaurants. Industry reports indicate this model is easier to deploy than larger quick-service formats, which often require more land and complex construction.
Company location pages show that Rally’s restaurants around the St. Louis metro, including the Natural Bridge Road location, are often situated on small, high-visibility parcels in both neighborhood and suburban areas…