---
title: "Orlando Sentinel: Frozen desserts more than just a summer obsession in Central Florida"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/f57d1a7b-a7d0-4f85-bf99-673606b5c53b
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/orlando-sentinel-frozen-desserts-more-than-just-a-summer-obsession-in-central-florida-1871
category: "Snacks & dessert"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Snacks & dessert"
published: 2015-06-18T20:15:54.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:34:27.455Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/8d777f385d3dfec8815d20f7496026dc3350.jpeg
---

# Orlando Sentinel: Frozen desserts more than just a summer obsession in Central Florida

**TL;DR:** Checkers is testing new products, including a "Sweet Side" dessert menu, in Orlando, Florida, due to the city's warm weather and tourism industry. The brand has experienced over four years of consecutive same-store sales growth.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2015-06-18. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/orlando-sentinel-frozen-desserts-more-than-just-a-summer-obsession-in-central-florida-1871).*

## Story

Tampa-based Checkers and Rally’s Restaurants, Inc have experienced more than four years of consecutive same-store sales growth, partially based on the brand’s big, bold, flavorful food at an incredible value. As Checkers and Rally’s looks to become a leader in innovation and roll out new products, the brand has turned to Orlando, Florida as a test market for new products, including the franchise brand’s new “Sweet Side” dessert menu. Checkers and Rally's Restaurants, Inc.

Senior Director of Research & Development Ryan Joy told the Orlando Sentinel that the city’s year-round warm weather and tourism industry are two reasons Orlando is such a great test market for the brand.“We can really get started testing a new item in the Orlando area and launch a cold dessert in the summer," Joy told the Orlando Sentinel. "It's perfect timing for us."

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- menu innovation (topic)
- Checkers (company)
- Orlando (location)
- Rally's (company)
- same-store sales growth (topic)
- test market (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/orlando-sentinel-frozen-desserts-more-than-just-a-summer-obsession-in-central-florida-1871). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/f57d1a7b-a7d0-4f85-bf99-673606b5c53b).