Checkers Drive-In vs Hot Dog On A Stick Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Hot Dog On A Stick Franchise
Investment $259,000 - $1,431,000$338,200 - $556,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$15,000 - $25,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 4.5%2%
Year Founded 19861946
Year Franchised 19891995
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Checkers Drive-In Franchise
Hot Dog On A Stick Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Hot Dog On A Stick Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Hot Dog On A Stick Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 160-220 hours Classroom Training: 32-40 hours Additional Training: In training restaurant On-The-Job Training: 32.5 hours Classroom Training: 35.5 hours Additional Training: At training store
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site SelectionPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations --

    Expansion Plans

     
    Checkers Drive-In Franchise
    Hot Dog On A Stick Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    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 Hot Dog On A Stick

    Our first store opened at Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California in 1946. Our founder, Dave Barham, was a charismatic and enlightened personality who understood the value of treating people to an experience as opposed to a service. In short, he built his business around the concepts of putting people first, and giving them a show. His approach was extremely successful. By 1990 Hot Dog on a Stick had become an icon in our primary venue, shopping malls, with 60 stores operating in 12 states.
    After Dave passed away in 1991, we became an employee owned corporation (ESOP) led by a management team he had mentored over the years. This team has successfully overseen Hot Dog on a Stick's expansion to over 103 stores in 17 states.
    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee