CULINARY: CHECKERS SEND STUDENTS "OFF TO COLLEGE" WITH NEW CAMPAIGN

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Setting a strong foundation is crucial for achieving success in any new endeavor. Checkers is offering a remarkable opportunity to give a college student an excellent head start through their exciting "Off To College Sweepstakes" campaign.

Houston area college students are encouraged to enter the sweepstakes, where they could win a prize package valued over $2000 that includes a new laptop, a mini fridge, school supplies, dorm room and bathroom essentials, and a surprise from Slim Thug. Creativity is needed to enter the sweepstakes, as each participant will need to build their own Checkers menu hack and post the hack on Instagram or TikTok using the hashtag #CheckersHTXSweepstakes.

Only one entry per person should be posted between now and July 31st. All entries must live in the greater Houston area, be at least 18 years old, and be attending college in Fall 2023.

Checkers owner Patricia Jacobs said her favorite Checkers’ hack is to add chili, jalapenos, bacon bits, and ranch to her fries. While all of Houston knows Checkers made Big Slim’s favorite hack into an entire meal deal with a Texas-sized triple Big Buford and Smoky BBQ Bacon Buford burger, fries, and a 44-ounce drink in a Big Slim Collector cup.

Two winners, one from Instagram and one from TikTok, will be selected by a drawing from all entry participants.

Jacobs is proud to be a part of a company that supports the community as heavily as Checkers does. Over the past eight years, Jacobs has served as a franchisee for multiple Checkers locations in different regions. Throughout her tenure, she has personally observed Checkers' commitment to the well-being of its employees through their Checkers Cares program. This initiative ensures that all eligible employees, regardless of their hourly or salaried positions within Checkers & Rally's system, receive assistance in the aftermath of both natural and personal disasters. With her own restaurants, she has held several teacher appreciation events, giving them free lunch, and has held many community lunch giveaways. This is why she is so excited to support Checkers’ latest campaign.

Jacobs understands the importance of a good college education and credits her own experience with her business success.

She recalls how expensive college was for her family during that time and knows that firsthand from her son’s experience. "There are a lot of expenses trying to make sure they feel at home in their dorm room and making sure they have all the dorm room essentials that they need. None of this is very cheap nowadays." Jacobs continued, "You have to purchase a whole new room."

The help Checkers is offering college students is invaluable. Giving them this early start will help set them off on a successful course for the future.

"Checkers is trying to show that they are going to be there for the community in all aspects," said Jacobs. "We know what the community needs because we are a part of that same community. We don’t just stick restaurants in the area and not know what’s going around."

The Houston Rockets fell short of accomplishing their goal on Monday of winning the NBA Summer League Championship, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 99-78 and finishing with a 5-1 record.

Yet, what they learned throughout the six games played may help them become more successful in phase two of their rebuilding process this season.

Jabari Smith Jr. Is On A Mission

Although he only played in eight quarters of basketball in Las Vegas, Smith used six of those to show the rest of the NBA world was he was capable of. The former third overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft averaged 35.5 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game. Smith set the tone early for the rest of the Rockets roster to follow by hitting a buzzer-beating three-point basket with 0.6 left on the clock in game one against the Portland Trailblazers.

Can I Get An Amen

The Rockets got a blessing in disguise in guard Amen Thompson whom they drafted with the fourth pick in this year’s draft. Thompson was lim-