From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Checkers restaurant at 355 E. Main Street has undergone a dramatic transformation, featuring a new red color palette, updated signage, murals, and enhanced lighting. The redesign reflects the brand’s “This Eats Different” campaign, emphasizing a fresh, high-energy identity. A community celebration is planned for March 28 with giveaways, entertainment, and activities for local residents.
*****
Checkers is celebrating two decades of serving the Apopka community with the completion of a dramatic remodel of its restaurant at Palm Plaza, 355 E. Main Street. Originally opened in 2006, the refreshed location brings the brand’s fearless new identity to life, marking both a milestone anniversary and a bold new chapter for Checkers in Apopka.
The newly remodeled restaurant showcases Checkers’ new logo and branding along with a striking exterior transformation. The building has moved beyond the brand’s classic black-and-white look to a bold red color palette, anchored by a dimensional checkered feature on the front façade. A redesigned front canopy adds a dynamic “3D” pop-out look and feel, creating instant curb appeal for both drive-thru and walk-up guests.
Murals now wrap both sides of the building, including a community-focused message declaring “WE LOVE APOPKA,” reinforcing Checkers’ long-standing connection to the neighborhood it has proudly served for nearly two decades. At night, the restaurant truly comes alive with upgraded lighting that serves as a beacon for late-night guests. Neon lighting under the walk-up and drive-thru canopies, paired with up-and-down lighting around the entire building, creates a glowing effect that highlights the murals and enhances the restaurant’s bold new presence.
“For 20 years, this Apopka restaurant has been part of the community, and this remodel is our way of celebrating that history while looking ahead,” said Russ Romeo, Sr. Director, Marketing Activation of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. “From the bold new exterior and murals to the lighting and energy of the building, everything about this restaurant reflects our ‘This Eats Different’ platform. It’s a dramatic new look that matches the flavor, value, and fun our guests expect, and it’s built to welcome Apopka for many years to come.”
The Apopka remodel reflects Checkers’ larger brand evolution. Checkers is turning up the volume on fast food with the launch of its bold new brand platform, “This Eats Different.” With an all-new, fearlessly original full-on vibe shift, fresh visual identity, swagger-filled tone, and high-energy creative, the campaign is putting flavor, value, and fun front and center. The remodeled Apopka restaurant is a vivid example of that dramatic restaurant look and feel and a powerful new brand expression.
To celebrate both the remodel and its long-standing history in Apopka, Checkers will host a community celebration on Saturday, March 28, from 1 pm to 4 pm. The event will bring together guests, neighbors, and local partners for an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment and giveaways.
Event highlights include:
- Enter-to-Win Giveaways for Orlando Magic tickets and memorabilia
- Face painting for kids
- Other fun giveaways throughout the event
The Apopka remodel underscores Checkers’ commitment to reinvesting in the communities it serves - delivering a bold, modern restaurant experience that matches its craveable flavors and unapologetic personality, while celebrating nearly two decades of connection with Apopka.
Key Points:
- Checkers marks 20 years in Apopka with a full restaurant remodel
- New design features bold red branding, murals, and upgraded lighting
- Location reflects the company’s new “This Eats Different” brand platform
- Community celebration scheduled for March 28 from 1–4 pm.
- The event includes Orlando Magic ticket giveaways, face painting, and family activities
About Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
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 more than 700 restaurants and room to grow, Checkers & Rally's is a proven brand with flexible building formats that are aggressively expanding across the country.
