Fuddruckers vs Checkers Drive-In Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Fuddruckers Franchise
Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Investment $495,000 - $1,565,000$259,000 - $1,431,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee .25%4.5%
Year Founded 19801986
Year Franchised 19831989
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee $25K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Fuddruckers Franchise
Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Fuddruckers Franchise
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Fuddruckers Franchise
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Training 6-week training programOn-The-Job Training: 160-220 hours Classroom Training: 32-40 hours Additional Training: In training restaurant
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 53% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Fuddruckers Franchise
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Fuddruckers

    The first Fuddruckers opened in San Antonio, Texas in 1980 with a classic American nostalgia theme. Fuddruckers operates and franchises more than 200 restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Middle East. The emphasis today is the same as it was in 1980 - we use only the freshest ingredients. Our restaurants serve only the freshest beef and feature on-premise bakeries where bread and dessert items are baked fresh daily. It's truly a "build-your-own meal" experience.

    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.
    Veteran Incentives  Franchise fee waived
    ""     "Top     "Entrepreneur
    #11 in Gator's Top franchises.
    In Franchise Business Reviews Top 200.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #76 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #198 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #162 in Franchise 500 for 2021.