Franopolis

    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources
    Franchising since
    1999
    Source: franchise.org
    Headquarters
    Tampa, FL United States
    Source: franchise.org

    Checkers Restaurants franchise specializes in double drive-thru quick-service dining, known for its bold-flavored burgers, seasoned fries, and efficient service

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    Headline figures

    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc quick facts

    Is Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc a franchise?
    Yes. Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 167 franchised and 121 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 84).
    How much does it cost to open a Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc franchise?
    The Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $619,000–$1,492,000 for conversion only (conversion — total excluding real estate/related costs) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 31); $767,500–$1,705,000 for site built — total excluding real estate/related costs (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 32); $449,000–$1,915,000 for modular drive-through — total excluding real estate/related costs (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 30); $309,000–$1,134,250 for endcap/gas/convenience — total excluding real estate/related costs (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 33); $214,000–$736,000 for nontraditional/walmart/sports arena — total excluding real estate/related costs (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 35); $651,500–$1,055,250 for inline high-density — total excluding real estate/related costs (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 34). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $30,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 16). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is $2 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 20). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $15,000 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 18). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 76). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc locations are there?
    The FDD reports 288 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 84). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $619,000 – $1,492,000 (Conversion — Total excluding real estate/related costs); $767,500 – $1,705,000 (Site built — Total excluding real estate/related costs); $449,000 – $1,915,000 (Modular drive-through — Total excluding real estate/related costs); $309,000 – $1,134,250 (Endcap/gas/convenience — Total excluding real estate/related costs); $214,000 – $736,000 (Nontraditional/Walmart/sports arena — Total excluding real estate/related costs); $651,500 – $1,055,250 (Inline high-density — Total excluding real estate/related costs); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 26 separate groups: other measures for 2 Company-owned locations; other measures for 115 Company-owned locations; other measures for 320 Franchised locations; other measures for 115 Company-owned locations; other measures for 280 Franchised locations; other measures for 19 Franchised locations; other measures for 21 Franchised locations; other measures for 2 Company-owned locations; other measures for 39 Franchised locations; other measures for 2 Company-owned locations; other measures for 16 14 franchised and2 company-owned locations; other measures for 35 Franchised locations; other measures for 1 Franchised locations; other measures for 3 Franchised locations; other measures for 99 Company-owned locations; other measures for 164 Franchised locations; other measures for 99 Company-owned locations; other measures for 155 Franchised locations; other measures for 5 Franchised locations; other measures for 4 Franchised locations; other measures for 10 Franchised locations; other measures for 10 Franchised locations; other measures for 9 Franchised locations; other measures for 1 Franchised locations; other measures for 50 47 franchised and3 company-owned locations; other measures for 2 locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets grew by 12 in 2025, to 288 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Franchises under $250kOther brands whose disclosed Item 7 low end fits this budget.Compare outlet trendsPut Item 20 counts side by side with up to 3 other brands.

    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, IncVSLittle Caesars
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    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, IncVSWingstop
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    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, IncVSSubway
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    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, IncVSSonic Drive-In
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    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 6 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (6)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • Nontraditional/Walmart/sports arena — Total excluding real estate/related costsPDF p. 35$214,000 – $736,000
    • Endcap/gas/convenience — Total excluding real estate/related costsPDF p. 33$309,000 – $1,134,250
    • Modular drive-through — Total excluding real estate/related costsPDF p. 30$449,000 – $1,915,000
    • Conversion — Total excluding real estate/related costsPDF p. 31$619,000 – $1,492,000
    • Inline high-density — Total excluding real estate/related costsPDF p. 34$651,500 – $1,055,250
    • Site built — Total excluding real estate/related costsPDF p. 32$767,500 – $1,705,000

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 16
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    Nontraditional net sales royaltyMain ongoing fee

    77 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    26 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    2 locations

    Other measures · 2 locations

    Who is counted
    Two new company-owned Checkers
    Period
    NET SALES
    Excluded
    Not all costs deducted. Source figures not recomputed.
    Method
    Food/paper less supplier rebates; labor wages/bonus/tax/insurance/benefits. Occupancy/operating includes marketing/utilities/presumed4%royalty; EBITDA excludes multi-unit supervision.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of December 29, 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 84

    Net −9 outlets, 2023–2025

    0297202327620242882025−21+12

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($214,000 – $1,915,000) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units went from 276 to 288 in 2025. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 16
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Two new company-owned Checkers · PDF p. 76
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table A ALL CHECKERS RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 72
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table A ALL CHECKERS RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 72
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table A SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 73
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table A SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 73
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table A ENDCAP STRIP-CENTER & GAS/CONVENIENCE RESTAURANT · PDF p. 73
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table A NON-TRADITIONAL, WALMART OR IN-LINE RESTAURANT IN HIGH DENSITY… · PDF p. 73
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table B ALL CHECKERS RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 73
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table B ALL CHECKERS RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 73
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table B SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 73
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Under350-day Rally’s Restaurants · PDF p. 77
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table B SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 73
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table B ENDCAP STRIP-CENTER & GAS/CONVENIENCE RESTAURANT · PDF p. 73
    15. [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Checkers Table B NON-TRADITIONAL, WALMART OR IN-LINE RESTAURANT IN HIGH DENSITY… · PDF p. 73
    16. [16]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table A ALL RALLY’S RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 74
    17. [17]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table A ALL RALLY’S RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 74
    18. [18]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table A SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 74
    19. [19]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table A SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 74
    20. [20]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table A ENDCAP STRIP-CENTER & GAS/CONVENIENCE RESTAURANT · PDF p. 75
    21. [21]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table A NON-TRADITIONAL, WALMART OR IN-LINE RESTAURANT IN HIGH DENSITY… · PDF p. 75
    22. [22]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — First-year of operations for new franchised Rally’s Restaurants opened between… · PDF p. 75
    23. [23]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table B ALL RALLY’S RESTAURANTS · PDF p. 75
    24. [24]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table B SITE BUILT OR CONVERSION RESTAURANT · PDF p. 75
    25. [25]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Rally’s Table B ENDCAP STRIP-CENTER & GAS/CONVENIENCE RESTAURANT · PDF p. 75
    26. [26]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Under350-day Checkers Restaurants · PDF p. 77
    27. [27]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — New company Checkers · PDF p. 77
    28. [28]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 84

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    344 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025cash and cash equivalents$13,411
    2025inventory$2,323
    2025prepaid expenses$5,338
    2025total current assets$31,589
    2025operating lease right-of-use assets$120,953
    2025finance lease right-of-use assets$26,429
    2025intangibles assets, net$198,633
    2025favorable leasehold interests$735
    2025goodwill, net$23,704
    2025other assets$945
    2025liabilities and stockholders' equity current liabilities accounts payable$6,436
    2025accrued liabilities$11,525

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

    Loading…

    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Little CaesarsWingstopSubwaySonic Drive-InFive GuysJimmy John's

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Checkers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc vs Little CaesarsCheckers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc vs WingstopCheckers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc vs SubwayCheckers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc vs Sonic Drive-InCheckers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc vs Five GuysCheckers & Rally’s Restaurants, Inc vs Jimmy John's
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Reader notes on wording

    Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.

    • Item 7 · PDF p. 1 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Cover paid to franchisor/affiliate range

      “This includes $45,000 to $55,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate. ”

      Note: This is a state-specific Item 20 entry. The required review scope is limited to national/systemwide Total rows, so this state entry is not verifiable under that scope.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Company-owned 2023 — Start

      “2023 123 112 -11”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Franchised 2023 — End

      “2023 171 171 0”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Franchised 2025 — Start

      “2025 166 167 1”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Company-owned 2024 — Start

      “2024 112 110 -2”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Company-owned 2024 — End

      “2024 112 110 -2”

      Note: This is a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. The Item 20 review scope is limited to national/systemwide Total rows, so this row is not verified under that scope.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 78 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Checkers Table 1 Company-owned 2025 — End

      “2025 123 121 -2”

      Note: This is a company-owned category row in Item 20, not the national/systemwide Total row. The requested check is limited to Total rows.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Company-owned 2025 — End

      “2025 110 99 -11”

      Note: This is a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. The Item 20 review scope is limited to national/systemwide Total rows, so this row is not verified under that scope.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Franchised 2024 — Start

      “2024 171 166 -5”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Franchised 2023 — Start

      “2023 171 171 0”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 78 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Checkers Table 1 Company-owned 2023 — End

      “2023 132 126 -6”

      Note: This is a state-specific or outlet-type Item 20 row. The requested check is limited to national/systemwide Total rows.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Franchised 2024 — End

      “2024 171 166 -5”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Franchised 2025 — End

      “2025 166 167 1”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Company-owned 2023 — End

      “2023 123 112 -11”

      Note: The cited value is in a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. Under the Item 20 review scope, only national/systemwide Total rows are verified.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 84 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Rally’s Table 1 Company-owned 2025 — Start

      “2025 110 99 -11”

      Note: This is a national systemwide ownership-category row, not a Total Outlets row. The Item 20 review scope is limited to national/systemwide Total rows, so this row is not verified under that scope.

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.

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