Father-Son Business Duo Open Checkers Restaurant in Kodak

Terry and Wesley Lee opened a brand-new Checkers restaurant in Kodak on Wednesday. While the Kodak Checkers will be the first restaurant for the father-son duo, they are definitely not lacking in other business experience.

Terry Lee graduated from Lincoln Memorial University with a degree in business administration, preparing him up to jump right into the business world. Currently, Lee owns and operates Lee Oil Inc. and created a subsequent business named Lee’s Food Mart that now has 45 locations throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. He sits as the CEO of the Commercial Bank of Tennessee, one of the largest banks in the state, and has been with the bank for nearly thirty years. He also owns two Ford-Lincoln dealerships in the Sevier County area, as well as Mound Technologies, a steel fabricating company in Ohio. Topping it off, Lee manufactures mobile homes and is the proud owner of a seminary and funeral home.

Following in his dad’s footsteps, Wesley also attended Lincoln Memorial University. He graduated with a degree in history and education, and then took a job at the local high school teaching history and coaching the football team. Wesley decided to put his teaching career on hold to follow his father’s footsteps in the business world. He joined Lee’s Food Mart a few years ago and will be the on-site franchisee at the new Checkers, in charge of the restaurant’s operations.

Both Terry and Wesley are extremely excited to dive into this next business venture with Checkers, getting into a different sector of business – restaurants. After looking at different franchise options, they knew Checkers would be the perfect fit for this space and need. The restaurant is attached to their Lee’s Food Mart at 3423 Winfield Dunn Parkway in Kodak, right off Interstate 40 exit 407. They know it will be a big hit for visitors headed to the Smoky Mountain National Park and needing a grab-and-go meal.

Checkers & Rally’s has a strong presence throughout the entire country, with more than 850 restaurants and room to grow. The brand received the award for “Best Drive-Thru in America” by QSR Magazine and has no plan to stop there.