A Checkers double drive-thru restaurant. Photo courtesy Checkers.

By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News 

Start your engines, another new drive-thru is hoping to cruise into Rhode Island by this time next year.

Following the construction of a Chick-fil-A in Warwick and the imminent arrival of a Sonic Drive-In, Checkers is the latest fast food franchise looking to open up shop in Rhode Island.

Jennifer Durham, vice president of franchise development for Checkers and Rally’s restaurants said they are “absolutely” looking to bring Checkers to Rhode Island, as well as other New England states and Delaware. Currently, the closest Checkers are in New York.

Durham said they changed distribution partners at the end of last year, entering into an agreement with Willow Run Foods, Inc. in New York. The 8-year, $250 million deal will now allow Checkers to distribute their products throughout New England.

“Since we made that change in distribution our focus has been to grow the New England market more aggressively,” said Durham in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Although they’re not in any conversations with franchisees now, Durham said they’re actively reaching out to folks who previously expressed interest in opening up a Checkers in the area but were denied. She said franchisees need $250,000 in cash and another $500,000 in net worth or collateral to support the loan. She said if franchisees don’t personally have restaurant experience, they need to identify an operator.

Once the franchisee enters into talks with Checkers, Durham said it typically takes nine to twelve months to approve them and to find the right site for the restaurant.

“I think definitely by this point next year my hope is that we have a restaurant open,” she said of opening a Checkers in Rhode Island.

According to their website, Checkers started in Alabama in 1986. Today, there are now more than 800 Checkers and Rally’s locations nationwide. The drive-thru offers burgers, chicken sandwiches and hot dogs and also sells chicken wings, layered ice cream sundaes and special desserts like funnel cakes.