Chester's Travels South for Puerto Rico Store Opening

Chester’s International, LLC, an emerging leader of quick service Restaurant (QSR) concepts nationally, today announced the opening of a franchised store in the San Juan International Airport. The addition is part of a continued Franchise expansion of the Chester’s brand.

The new store will be located in the food court of the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The San Juan airport attracts more than ten million travelers and 220,000 take offs and landings annually. The Chester’s restaurant will join four other QSR’s to complete a colorful food court variety. The food court will also include Domino’s Pizza, David’s Cookies, Harry’s Tacos, and Caribbean Breeze.

Chester’s International currently operates 30 locations throughout the Caribbean basin. The company looks to expand in the region through non-traditional locations such as airports, travel centers, convenience stores and supermarkets. The small square footage needed for a Chester’s location – as little as 600 square feet – makes the Chester’s franchise offering unique, and one of the lowest cost Franchise Opportunities in the chicken category, a key differentiator.

Jose Algarin, president of Empresas Santana, Inc., is excited to be a part of the Chester’s brand. “Chester’s success in other Caribbean markets made this an easy decision for us,” said Algarin. He added, “We look forward to working with an experienced QSR and expanding the Chester’s name in Puerto Rico.”

Chester’s International, previously a licensed QSR concept operating under the Chester Fried brand name, changed its name to Chester’s International when it shifted its business model to a franchise program in June 2004. Chester’s currently operates a total of 1,785 locations. Under the new business model, Chester’s seeks to add a total of 500 Franchises within five years.

“Chester’s aggressive expansion program has resulted in several new franchisees across the U.S. and the Caribbean,” said Russ Cooper, President of Chester’s International. “We are excited to work with Airport Shoppes in bringing the great Chester’s taste to Puerto Rico. The Chester’s franchise has what it takes to thrive and grow in the QSR market, both in the United States and abroad,” he added.

About Chester’s International, LLC

Chester’s International, LLC is an emerging leader of quick serve restaurant (QSR) concepts with more than 1,700 Chester Fried licensed and Chester’s franchised locations. Chester’s offers high quality, great tasting products, flexible size and store layout options, training and support. Chester’s uses only fresh chicken that is specially marinated and double-breaded using a proprietary family recipe and offers bone-in, tenders and potato wedges as well as sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast and sides.