Sentinel staff report–
After years of setbacks and delays, the franchise owner of a new Rally’s burger drive-thru on Auburn Boulevard said Thursday that he’s now hired and trained enough staff to set an opening date of October 19.
The new 827-square-foot burger joint is located next to Rusch Park at 7911 Auburn Blvd., and features a drive-thru only model, with no indoor seating by design. A small outdoor patio area has tables for diners to use.
The new eatery is a franchise location of the Florida-based Checkers Drive-In Restaurant Inc., which has over 800 locations nationwide and about 40 in California. The fast-food chain offers items like seasoned fries, big burgers, chicken wings and milkshakes, and markets itself in different parts of the country under the brand names Rally’s and Checker’s.
Local franchise owner Ben Aibuedefe says the restaurant will bring a “value burger” to the area, promising prices for a meal in the $6-7 range, including fries and a drink.
Hours of operation will initially be 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Aibuedefe said, noting that more staff are still in need of being hired.
During a prior interview in August, the franchisee said construction was complete but he was struggling to find 45 to 50 employees required to open the restaurant. In an update last week, he said the company’s corporate office agreed to send out a trainer if he could find 34 employees, a lower threshold from the original minimum of 45 employees.
With other companies desperate to hire workers immediately amid the current labor shortage, Aibuedefe said it has been difficult to hold on to employees once they sign up for the job, as he can’t provide new hires with work until enough workers sign up and the restaurant opens.
Those interested in applying for a job at Rally’s can visit the company’s online jobs listing, or drop by the location at 7911 Auburn Blvd. this Friday or Monday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when Aibuedefe says he will be on site.
