Johnny Rockets vs Checkers Drive-In Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Johnny Rockets Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Investment	$581,000 - $877,000	$259,000 - $1,431,000
Franchise Fee	$49,000	$30,000
Royalty Fee	5%	4%
Advertising Fee	-	4.5%
Year Founded	1986	1986
Year Franchised	1987	1989
Term Of Agreement	10 years w/two 5-year options	20 years
Term Of Agreement	10 years w/two 5-year options	20 years
Renewal Fee	-	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Johnny Rockets Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Experience	You and/or a business partner(s) must have at least two years restaurant owner/operator experience. You and/or a business partner(s) must have a net worth of $500 thousand per unit, and available liquid capital of $200 thousand per unit, or more, (net worth of $1.5 million per unit, and available liquid capital of $500 thousand per unit, or more, outside of the U.S.), in order to qualify for development of up to five units. Development of six units or more will be considered on a case by case basis, pending your net worth and available liquid capital.	Industry experience General business experience
Financing Options
	Johnny Rockets 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
	Johnny Rockets Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Training	-	On-The-Job Training: 160-220 hours Classroom Training: 32-40 hours Additional Training: In training restaurant
Support	Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations	Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
Marketing	National media, Regional advertising	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
Operations	Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 95% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 48 - 53 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (98% of current franchisees are owner/operators)	-
Expansion Plans
	Johnny Rockets Franchise	Checkers Drive-In Franchise
US Expansion	-	Yes
Canada Expansion	No	No
International Expansion	Yes	Yes

Company Overviews

About Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is an international restaurant chain that offers the food, fun and friendliness of classic, timeless, feel-good Americana. Every Johnny Rockets restaurant serves simple, great-tasting food from a menu of all-American favorites, including our juicy hamburgers, crispy American Fries, classic sandwiches and rich, delicious hand-dipped shakes and malts. It's the place to go for friendly service, flavorful food, uplifting music and relaxed, casual fun. With annual sales in excess of $300 million, Johnny Rockets is a time-tested brand with an extraordinarily high awareness level, a loyal customer base and a broad demographic appeal. The all-American theme is one that has proven to be universal and that leaps across all geographic and cultural boundaries. It easily translates into any language and relates to the best concepts of America, around the globe. Throughout the world, people appreciate the stereotypical home-cooked goodness of classic comfort foods; smiling, outgoing service and a bright, clean, cheerful atmosphere.

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.