Fry-Cook Phenom Foregoes College Eligibility, Signs With Rally’s

Ending speculation about his future plans, 17-year old Terrance Berry, a highly touted fry cook out of Warren Easton High School, today passed on his college eligibility and penned a lucrative deal with Rally’s.

The announcement ended months of speculation over which fast-food franchise would be able to lure Berry into the professional ranks or whether he would opt for a work-study program involving the University of New Orleans and Aramark food services. In the end, the fierce bidding war that erupted among interested organizations—Wendy’s, Popeye’s, and eventual victor Rally’s—was too much for Berry to pass up.

“The numbers being thrown at Terrance, while commensurate with his talent, were also quite frankly staggering,” said Marvin Kapstein, Berry’s agent, at a press conference announcing the deal.

Many analysts were surprised that Berry signed with the less prestigious Rally’s chain, a subsidiary of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. Many analysts feel the organization lacks the polish and national reach of other hamburger stands, yet lacks the local cache of Popeye’s fried chicken.

What tipped the scales, according to Kapstein, was the fact that Rally’s could promise Berry a slot at their Uptown location on Louisiana Avenue. Wendy’s was unwilling to guarantee their Tchoupitoulas Avenue location, instead resting its hopes for securing Berry on a lucrative incentive package tied to weekly performance markers.

“Terrance’s decision was based not merely on money but on which franchise would be the best fit.”

“I always liked the Big Buford best anyway,” Berry interjected.

Berry first wowed scouts at the age of nine, when his deep-fried okra was the hit of the 1997 Berry Family Reunion in City Park. His ability to handle such a complex food at a young age convinced observers that he was someone to monitor.

“I knew early on that Terrance could turn grease into gold,” Berry’s mother, Nona Berry, exclaimed.

Subsequent family reunions and neighborhood block parties only further cemented his reputation.

But it was the timing of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent draining of the talent pool that has turned Berry into such a prized commodity.

“Pre-Katrina, I might have been wrangling with college financial aid offices over TOPS money,” agent Kapstein said. “Now the game has changed.”

Terrence Berry ended the speculation-- "I always liked the Big Buford best."

Berry held out until guaranteed a position in the lucrative Uptown market.