Checkers Drive-In vs Wild Noodles Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Checkers Drive-In Franchise	Wild Noodles Franchise
Investment	$259,000 - $1,431,000	$273,500 - $350,000
Franchise Fee	$30,000	$25,000
Royalty Fee	4%	5%
Advertising Fee	4.5%	-
Year Founded	1986	2001
Year Franchised	1989	2003
Term Of Agreement	20 years	20 years
Term Of Agreement	20 years	20 years
Renewal Fee	-	1/2 of current franchise fee
Business Experience Requirements
	Checkers Drive-In Franchise	Wild Noodles Franchise
Experience	Industry experience General business experience	Past management experience
Financing Options
	Checkers Drive-In Franchise	Wild Noodles Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/Yes	No/Yes
Start-up Costs	No/Yes	No/Yes
Equipment	No/Yes	No/Yes
Inventory	No/Yes	No/Yes
Receivables	No/Yes	No/No
Payroll	No/Yes	No/No
Training & Support
	Checkers Drive-In Franchise	Wild Noodles Franchise
Training	On-The-Job Training: 160-220 hours Classroom Training: 32-40 hours Additional Training: In training restaurant	-
Support	Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection	Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Operations	-	Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Expansion Plans
	Checkers Drive-In Franchise	Wild Noodles Franchise
US Expansion	Yes	-
Canada Expansion	No	No
International Expansion	Yes	Yes

Company Overviews

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.