National burger chain plans first Stanislaus site in Turlock, other major brands expanding
Three national restaurant chains are planning locations in Turlock, and one site would be the first for the brand in Stanislaus County.
The burger chain Checkers plans a restaurant on Fulkerth Road just off the Highway 99 exit. Applications have been submitted to the Turlock Planning Division to construct one of the drive-thru chain’s fast-food kiosks.
The company that owns Checkers also owns Rally’s, and the two chains share the same food, branding style and restaurant design. Checkers has more than 500 locations across the country but is more prevalent across the East Coast and South, while Rally’s has more than 300 locations centered largely in the Midwest and California.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s share a similar split situation, where the same restaurants go by different names.
Depending on how quickly it is completed, the new Checkers would be only the second in California and the first in Northern California. The company’s other location is in Bakersfield. Rally’s, its companion brand, has 42 locations in California already, with the closest open site in Los Banos.
Checkers, like Rally’s, is known for its drive-thru-only model and signature seasoned french fries. Those fries have a bit of a cult following, and can even be found in the frozen-foods section at some stores. Though — and I say this with certainty as a transplanted Midwesterner — nothing beats them hot and fresh while eaten in your car on the way home.
The proposed site, directly across from the Applebee’s in Countryside Plaza, is in a prime location just off the freeway exit. A combination Valero gas station and convenience store is being constructed in the formerly vacant lot.
The Checkers would have a smaller footprint than the gas station. The restaurant’s concept is drive-thru only, with outdoor seating. The proposed plan would have patio seating for 12. The site will be staffed by eight employees, and once open, will have late-night hours, until midnight weekdays and 2 a.m. weekends.
The plans are currently under review by the city. If approved, construction is expected to last through June.
Turlock also is in line to get its second Panda Express and its jagillionth Starbucks. (Just kidding. It will be the city’s 10th.)
Plans have been approved for a new location on West Canal Drive for the Chinese food quick-serve restaurant. The new Panda Express will have a drive-thru and be built on a vacant pad east of a Starbucks cafe that opened in late 2021. The site sits kitty-corner from the Turlock Town Center at Canal and Golden State Boulevard.
The approximately 2,600-square-foot new construction would have seating inside for 40 and is expected to be staffed by about six employees. The city already has a Panda Express location in the Monte Vista Crossings shopping center, but that site across from the Target does not have a drive-thru.
Speaking of Starbucks, another one has been approved near the Costco on North Tegner Road. The building, for drive thru and walk-up only, will be constructed on a vacant pad in the existing shopping complex just north of Costco. The site sits just south of the existing Wendy’s.
The new Starbucks would have double-drive-thru lanes that could accommodate up to 14 vehicles at a time. The approximately 1,200-square-foot building would be staffed by up to a dozen employees. The site will have outside patio seating and a walk-up service window.
This story was originally published February 2, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
