Popular burger chain, Checkers, is planning a big Philadelphia comeback. The popular franchise intends to reopen at least 5 of 13 closed restaurants, while adding new Philly locations, reports The Philadelphia Business Journal.
Local franchisee Dinesh Goswami signed with Checkers in the early part of 2023. Checkers previously operated 13 Philadelphia locations. The franchisee in charge of those restaurants was unable to keep them afloat, and as a result shuttered the stores. Goswami is definitively reopening 5 of the 13 locations, and is currently in active conversation with the landlords for the remainder.
Goswami has already actively reopened the Checkers at 9173 Roosevelt Boulevard, and intends to open the restaurants at 232-50 W. Lehigh Ave., 4813-23 Lancaster Ave. and 2729 W. Hunting Park Ave. in Philadelphia, and 2881 Mount Ephraim Ave. in Camden, New Jersey within the next year. Goswami is currently remaining coy about the remaining 8 reopening locations.
Goswami is hoping to open an entirely new location at 4301 North Market Street sometime within the coming year.
The Checkers renaissance will be a costly and time consuming process. Many buildings will undergo extensive renovations, while others will be completely rebuilt on the lots of their previous homes.
Goswami intends to focus his energies on new Checkers locations once the existing ones are refurbished. The restaurateer states “We love the brand, and we want to expand. There’s plenty of opportunity between New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Between Philly and Delaware, there’s plenty that will keep us busy for the next three to five years.”
Checkers rose to prominence in Mobile, Alabama in 1999. Since that auspicious beginning, the chain has ballooned to include more than 878 locations.
Checkers offers diners a reliable range of fast-food options. Visitors can choose between burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, and fish sandwiches.
