Checkers & Rally’s Expands Frozen Food Court Options

 

The evolution of the grocerant niche continues to reshape the landscape of food retailing, and Checkers & Rally’s latest expansion in the frozen food aisle is a testament to this powerful trend, according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.   The quick-serve brand, in partnership with Lamb Weston, is bringing four new side dishes to grocery stores nationwide, further solidifying the role of grocerants in brand building and customer migration.

For decades, grocerants—a fusion of grocery stores and restaurants—have been at the forefront of food retail innovation, offering consumers restaurant-quality meals they can enjoy at home. This concept has gained momentum as time-starved customers seek convenience without compromising flavor. Checkers & Rally’s, a brand synonymous with bold, craveable flavors, understands this dynamic and has leveraged its long-standing partnership with Lamb Weston to deliver an expanded lineup of frozen favorites.

Checkers & Rally’s Seasoned Fries have dominated the frozen food category since their introduction in 2005. Now, with the addition of Seasoned Onion Rings, Seasoned Waffle Fries, Seasoned Sweet Potato Fries, and Seasoned Cheesy Potato Bites, the brand is doubling down on its commitment to providing restaurant-quality experiences beyond its drive-thru windows.

This strategic move is not just about product diversification; it plays a critical role in customer migration. Consumers who first encounter Checkers & Rally’s through their grocery purchases are more likely to visit the restaurant locations, reinforcing brand affinity and loyalty. By meeting customers where they are—whether in a grocery aisle or at the drive-thru—the brand ensures that its signature flavors remain top of mind.

Historically, grocerants have been a pivotal force in the food industry, dating back to the introduction of private-label frozen meals and prepared foods in supermarkets. From Stouffer's pioneering frozen entrees in the 1950s to today’s proliferation of restaurant-branded retail items, the concept has continually evolved. Brands like TGI Fridays, White Castle, and Chick-fil-A have successfully extended their reach through frozen and refrigerated grocery products, reinforcing their presence in the minds and kitchens of consumers. Checkers & Rally’s follows this proven playbook, ensuring its bold flavors remain a household staple.

Lamb Weston’s partnership with Checkers & Rally’s, spanning over 20 years, has been instrumental in making this expansion possible. The collaboration has not only resulted in the top-selling licensed fry SKU in the country but also set the stage for continued innovation. As grocery shoppers increasingly seek out restaurant-quality meal solutions, the introduction of these new products strengthens Checkers & Rally’s position as a leader in the grocerant space.

With more consumers enjoying their favorite restaurant flavors at home, the boundary between retail and foodservice continues to blur. Checkers & Rally’s latest move is more than just an expansion; it is a strategic embrace of the evolving consumer landscape, ensuring the brand remains a dominant force in both the restaurant and retail sectors. As the grocerant trend gains even more traction, expect to see more brands following suit, capitalizing on the growing demand for convenient, high-quality meals beyond the traditional dining experience.

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Checkers & Rally’s Partnerships Reduce Cost, Drive Profits & Growth

Building top line sales and bottom line profits in the restaurant business today requires a unit level focus according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Consumers today are dynamic not static and Checkers & Rally’s proved they are a dynamic as consumers when they announced the addition of new modular manufacturer partners, which will extend the reach of the brand’s popular modular restaurant design option.

Johnson said ‘Fast Food is simply getting faster and better at everything they do.” In addition to original modular partner Valiant, based in Florida, Checkers Rally’s franchisees will soon be able to work with two new modular partners in different regions of the country in California they partnered with Madison Industries and in Alabama with Z Modular according to the company.

Bret Cunningham, director of Design & Construction for Checkers & Rally’s stated “By aligning with these two new partners, we expand the geographic areas where we can build modular restaurants, so franchisees across the country can utilize the modular design,”... “Having regional partners reduces shipment costs and lead times, making the modular design even more attractive for our franchisees.”

Checkers & Rally’s franchisees that choose the modular option save money on buildout costs, and, because the units are built offsite in a controlled environment, there are no delays due to weather. With the modular design, franchisees are able to expand into markets that were once thought to be cost-prohibitive, and also save time spent securing city permits.

“Checkers & Rally’s is committed to increasing profitability for our franchisees, and that starts during the construction process,” says Jennifer Durham, Chief Development Officer of Checkers & Rally’s. “The modular option not only lowers buildout costs, but also speeds up the construction process so franchisees can open their restaurants and start making money more quickly. By adding two new modular manufacturers, we will be able to continue building up our development pipeline and provide regional options for our franchisees to continue growing with the brand.”

Checkers & Rally’s is set to open 60 new locations in 2018, with 18 of those restaurants utilizing the modular design. In 2019, 35 additional locations are already set to open, with another 111 approved locations in the pipeline. Is your company’s growth dynamic?

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced food marketing and business development ideations. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities, technology, or a new menu product segment.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant

Fresher Faster Foodservice Growth at Checkers & Rally’s

Integrating brand messaging across your entire company is an arduous task however one of the foodservice companies that is very good at that is Checkers & Rally’s according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Checkers & Rally’s has effectively created a corporate platform where all departments are on the same page.  Currently Checkers & Rally’s is gearing up for a busy 2018, with more than 60 new restaurants slated to open this year, about 30 of which are modular build-outs edifying the brands fresh fast platform..

Checkers & Rally’s is slated to install 18 modular units by end of summer. The brand’s modular units are constructed offsite in a controlled environment, and are delivered to the location site and set via crane. Clearly this strategy allows Checkers & Rally’s franchisees to shave up to 12 weeks off of the development process, allowing for lower construction costs and minimizing time spent securing city permits and on construction.

The increased speed and lower costs allow Checkers & Rally’s corporate and franchisees to expand into markets that were once deemed cost-prohibitive. Once set, locations typically open 30–60 days later. Does your brand communicate effectively across all departments? 

So just what is your New Electricity? Success does leave clues www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  is the global leader in grocerant niche business development.  We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities.  Has your company had a Grocerant ScoreCard completed a Grocerant Program Assessment, or new Grocerant niche product Ideation?  Want one?  Call 253-759-7869 Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us