Checkers Drive-In vs Bar-B-Cutie Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Bar-B-Cutie Franchise
Investment $259,000 - $1,431,000$266,986 - $2,080,491
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 4.5%2%
Year Founded 19861950
Year Franchised 19892003
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Bar-B-Cutie Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Bar-B-Cutie Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Bar-B-Cutie Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 160-220 hours Classroom Training: 32-40 hours Additional Training: In training restaurant On-The-Job Training: 250 hours Classroom Training: 50 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site SelectionMeetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations - 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Bar-B-Cutie Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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.
    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.






    About Bar-B-Cutie

    For over seven decades, Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse has been on an incredible journey. Having opened our first Bar-B-Cutie restaurant in Nashville in 1950, Bar-B-Cutie is certainly part of Nashville's history and is making history in other places like Georgia and Texas. In fact, South Texas hosts more Bar-B-Cutie locations than any other BBQ restaurant.Our track record of serving delicious Baby Back Ribs, Mouth Watering Grilled Mesquite Chicken and of course "The Worlds Best Barbecue Since 1950" speaks for itself.
    Bar-B-Cutie is in it's third and fourth generation of family ownership. After being in business successfully for over 50 years we are now offering opportunities to entrepreneurs who want to own and operate their own Bar-B-Cutie restaurant. We now are poised to grow our BRAND in the U.S. as well as Internationally. We know this because our food is great and our pricing is reasonable and when you put that in a clean and comfortable atmosphere coupled with superb service you have a winner. We truly care about our franchisees as well as our combined customers. We welcome you to take a closer look at our franchise opportunity. We have evolved into a more updated looking store but we always will keep the local community look and feel. We will continue to evolve as we along with our franchise family grows.

    Seeking new franchise units in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah    
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee