Steak n Shake vs Checkers Drive-In Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Steak n Shake vs Checkers Drive-In including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Steak n Shake Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Investment	$672,000 - $1,835,000	$259,000 - $1,431,000
Franchise Fee	$25,000 - $40,000	$30,000
Royalty Fee	5.5%	4%
Advertising Fee	-	4.5%
Year Founded	1934	1986
Year Franchised	1945	1989
Term Of Agreement	-	20 years
Term Of Agreement	-	20 years
Renewal Fee	-	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Steak n Shake Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Experience	-	Industry experience General business experience
Financing Options
	Steak n Shake Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/No	No/Yes
Start-up Costs	No/No	No/Yes
Equipment	No/No	No/Yes
Inventory	No/No	No/Yes
Receivables	No/No	No/Yes
Payroll	No/No	No/Yes
Training & Support
	Steak n Shake Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Training	-	On-The-Job Training: 160-220 hours Classroom Training: 32-40 hours Additional Training: In training restaurant
Support	� Unparalleled Operations Support - A Steak n Shake Manager of Field Operations will help you open your restaurant and will be available for consultation with day-to-day operations. To help ensure a smooth restaurant opening experience, Steak n Shake will provide your first training hours via seasoned Steak n Shake trainers/staff. You will also receive our Operating Standards System, Manager-in-Training and Management Development Programs. Through your Manager of Field Operations, you will have the multi-functional resources of the Steak n Shake Company working on your behalf.	Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
Marketing	� World Class Marketing - The Steak n Shake marketing is directed toward building brand loyalty and is not price-driven or reliant on low price discounting. Steak n Shake's television and print marketing are product-benefit directed, showing why Steak n Shake is superior to fast food alternatives with a fun, irreverent, tongue-in-cheek humorous approach. Sample television spots are available on this website for your viewing pleasure. The Marketing System is user-friendly and designed for the success of Franchisees.	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
Operations	-	-
Expansion Plans
	Steak n Shake Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
US Expansion	Yes	Yes
Canada Expansion	No	No
International Expansion	No	Yes

Company Overviews

About Steak n Shake

Benefits of Franchising The benefits of franchising with Steak n Shake can't be duplicated:
* Proven Concept - The Steak n Shake concept has withstood all types of economic circumstances and continually emerged stronger and stronger.
* Growing - Since 1996, Steak n Shake system-wide sales have grown from $268 million to $549 million. In the past decade, the chain has doubled in size.
* Huge, Untapped Development Potential - Steak n Shake currently operates over 490 restaurants in just 20 states. Looking ahead, we forecast that Steak n Shake has the potential to develop over 1,000 units nationwide.
* Unique Niche Positioning - There is no single offering that is a head-on alternative to our restaurant concept. Steak n Shake serves a distinct niche in the mid-scale, casual dining segment of the restaurant industry.
* Core Products that Generate a Strong Loyal Following - The core of the Steak n Shake menu includes STEAKBURGERS, thin and crispy French Fries, Chili, and Hand-dipped Milk Shakes.
* Product Development - Steak n Shake has a pipeline of new products that build on core products consumers love. Recent innovations have included new Side-by-Side Milkshakes and Sippable Sundaes.

Future innovations will include more milkshake innovation, burger news, and health conscious offerings. All of these benefits equal a great chance at success in the restaurant business. The only thing missing is you.

About Checkers Drive-In

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. is the largest double drive-thru restaurant chain in the United States. Checkers develops, produces, owns, operates, and franchises quick service “double drive-thru” restaurants under the two brand names “Checkers" and “Rally’s Hamburgers". The restaurants are designed to provide fast and efficient automobile-oriented service and appeal to guests of all ages. The double drive-thru concept allows Checkers' and Rally’s Hamburgers to capitalize on the fact that approximately fifty percent of all quick-service food business is drive-thru. Guests can also enjoy a 1950’s flashback with walk-up ordering and outdoor dining in the outside picnic area at most locations.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Checkers Restaurant (excluding real estate and related costs) is: $780,000 to $1,431,000 for a new modular design single drive-thru restaurant; $320,500 to $787,000 for a site built, conversion or used modular drive-thru restaurant; $259,700 to $648,000 for an endcap strip-center and gas/convenience restaurant; and $254,000 to $514,000 for a Non-Traditional, Walmart or in-line restaurant in a high-density market. This includes $10,000 to $50,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate, plus $10,000 for each additional restaurant that you agree to develop under a development agreement.