Checkers Returning to Joliet; New Popeyes Moving to Cass Street

Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante on Thursday announced that two Checkers fast-food restaurants are coming to Joliet — one one Collins Street north of Cass Street and the other in front of Kmart on Jefferson Street.

It will mark a return for the restaurant, which offers burgers, chicken and fish, as well as hot dogs and seasoned French fries. A location at 1511 W. Jefferson St. closed years ago and is now home to a title loan store.

Meanwhile, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits will return to a Cass Street location. Currently, the building at 351 E. Cass St. is home to an El Burrito Loco, but previously served as a Popeye's location, Giarrante said.

According to Giarrante, the same developers, Aby Mohamed and Rajan Madassery, are behind all three restaurants.

"They are excited about it," he said. "They like working with the city and the staff and they found a couple good spots [for new restaurants]."

The new restaurants will mean about 150 new jobs in Joliet.

Giarrante said the Jefferson Street Checkers, which will be built as an addition to the Mobil gas station near Kmart, could open in the fall. The other Checkers and the Popeyes will likely open next year, he said.