Rhode Island Is Getting Checkers and Rally’s ‘Restaurant of the Future’

Rhode Island may be small, but it's big on food, and there's a new burger joint coming to town that has people talking. Franchising.com reported the popular Checkers and Rally's franchise will be racing into the Ocean State with six new locations across the state.

While some businesses suffered during the pandemic, Checkers and Rally's thrived, reportedly seeing an "uptick" in business thanks to their "recession-resistant business model." The franchise calls itself the restaurant of the future thanks to its digital-only drive-thru lane and improvements on kitchenware and restaurant flow.

Technology in the kitchen is creating a more efficient work place for employees. Disruption-proof is the name of the game for Checkers and Rally's, but will a fast-food burger joint be welcomed with open arms to Rhode Island or will it be just another option on a long list of choices? Rhode Islanders don't like change, and chances are they already have a favorite burger spot.

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However, Rhode Islanders will have six chances to step out of their comfort zone, with six new locations popping up in the near future. "Demand for our drive-thru and delivery-focused model continues to grow," said Kristen Macdonald, Vice President of Development at Checkers and Rally's. "We are thrilled to officially open in Rhode Island, and welcome our new partners to the Checkers and Rally's family."

The exact locations and grand openings are still unknown, but here is what we do know: there is no indoor seating. The Checkers and Rally's business model operates with dual drive-up windows and a walk-up window only. Fun fact, it's actually two restaurants – one called Checkers and one called Rally's. Maybe Rhode Island will get three of one and three of the other?

I can't help but be a skeptic to another chain breaking ground in my home state. Checkers and Rally's sounds like a Sonic without the skates or a McDonald's without the arches. What is the buzz all about? I will admit this; the Baconzilla burger sounds pretty enticing.

What do you think, will you give Checkers and Rally's a shot?