Area fast-food chain recruits Boston Market CEO to run company

TAMPA — Checkers & Rally’s has named Frances Allen CEO and a member of the company's board of directors, effective Feb. 17.

Allen, according to a press release, comes to the Tampa-based fast food chain from Boston Market, where she also served as CEO. She succeeds Rick Silva, who served as CEO and president of the Tampa-based, nearly 900-unit fast food chain for 13 years.

Allen, the release states, has also held executive leadership roles at Jack-in-the-Box, Denny’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay. Allen, according to her LinkedIn profile, also has a local tie: she was an independent board member of Clearwater-based boat giant MarineMax from November 2013 to May 2015. 

“I am thrilled to be joining this unique brand with so much potential for growth,” Allen states in the release. “Checkers & Rally’s will continue its tradition of putting the customer first and serving its communities by delivering high-quality, craveable food at exceptional values. There is much work to do, but I am eager to build on the company’s recent momentum and set out on this exciting journey alongside Checkers & Rally’s passionate employees and talented franchisees.”

Kevin Mailender, a partner at Oak Hill Capital, the private equity firm that owns Checkers & Rally's, thanked Silva for his many years of leadership. "Rick has played a key role in positioning the system for long-term success," he states in the release, "and we wish him well on his future endeavors.”

Checkers & Rally’s did $844.7 million in revenue in 2017, when it was publicly-traded. Private equity firm Oak Hill Capital led a management buyout of the company in 2017 for $525 million.