Fearlessly Original Brand Debuts in Worcester Led by Veteran Restaurant Family Operators 

WORCESTER, Mass. – Checkers & Rally’s, the iconic double drive-thru burger and fries brand known for its legendary taste, undeniable value, and game-changing innovation, is bringing the fearlessly original experience to Massachusetts with a new restaurant opening. The location will be situated at 99 Gold Star Blvd, marking the brand’s first in the state, further expanding Checkers & Rally’s footprint in New England.

Muhammad Saleem and Kelly Moughal, veteran Checkers & Rally’s operators, will spearhead the new restaurant. The husband-and-wife duo brings more than 30 years of restaurant experience backed by a portfolio that spans Subway, Little Caesars, Bonchon, and Captain D’s. They have built their career on operational excellence and a people-first leadership style, employing more than 175 team members across their brands and treating every employee like family. Their son, Adom Moughal, is also part of the team and recently earned an operations award with Checkers & Rally’s for his impact across the organization. Together, they’ve created a powerhouse partnership fueled by experience and a shared commitment to growth.

“Bringing Checkers & Rally’s to Massachusetts represents a new chapter for our family, the communities we serve, and the brand as a whole,” said Kelly Moughal. “Every time we open a restaurant, we see it as an opportunity to create careers, spark pride, and build something lasting. This location is especially meaningful because it reflects the next generation of our work, with Adom contributing his own leadership and vision. We’re thrilled to introduce Worcester to the bold flavors and energy that make Checkers so special, and we’re committed to earning our place as a trusted and valued part of this community.”

Checkers & Rally’s is expanding its franchise footprint with the new Worcester location, bringing fearlessly original flavors and legendary taste to fans in a high-energy venue. This new restaurant delivers undeniable value for both guests and franchise partners, while showcasing the brand’s game-changing innovation in quick-service dining.

“We’re proud to introduce Checkers & Rally’s brand to Massachusetts for the first time,” said Robert Bhagwandat, Senior Director of Franchise Development at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. “Expanding into a new state is a major milestone for the brand, and we’re thrilled to partner with Muhammad, Kelly, and Adom to bring our bold flavors and high-energy experience to the Worcester community. We look forward to seeing local guests discover what makes Checkers & Rally’s a favorite nationwide.”

Merged in 1999 to form one concept, Checkers & Rally’s primarily operates through a proven franchise model, in which owners benefit from brand recognition, operational support, and marketing resources. Potential franchise prospects can develop on less than half an acre, which is half the size of competing drive-thru concepts. Checkers & Rally’s current strategy is targeting select markets throughout the United States, particularly in South and Central Wisconsin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Southern California, Las Vegas, Florida, and South Carolina.

About Checkers & Rally’s

Based in Tampa, Fla., Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., an iconic and innovative drive-thru restaurant chain known for its bold, craveable food, famous fries, exceptional value, and people-first attitude, operates and franchises both Checkers® and Rally’s® restaurants. With over 700 restaurants and room to grow, Checkers & Rally’s is a proven brand with flexible building formats that is aggressively expanding across the country. Checkers & Rally’s is dedicated to being a place where franchisees and employees who work hard can create opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. In recent years, the brand has earned several of the industry’s most prestigious awards, including Franchise Times Top 500, Entrepreneur Top 500, Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises, Franchise Rock Star, and “Most Profitable Franchises” in 2024. The brand also earned recognition for its best-in-class training and education programs, winning four prestigious Brand Hall Group awards in 2024, and was named one of QSR’s Best Brands to Work For in 2025.

To learn more about Checkers & Rally’s franchise opportunities, visit checkersfranchising.com. For more information about Checkers & Rally’s, visit checkers.com.

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