Checkers® Signs Franchise Deal for Pennsylvania

10-restaurant deal fuels chain’s development plans

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s largest double drive-thru Restaurant chain, today announced that it has entered into a Franchise and development agreement with new franchisees, Stuart Hanford, Fred Laurenzo and Terry Lee, to build 10 new Checkers® restaurants in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-area over the next five years.

This new development agreement represents the chain’s first recent franchise deal for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is a significant step towards the Company’s strategic growth plans for the region. Currently, there are 11 Company-operated Checkers locations in nearby Philadelphia.

According to franchisee, Stuart Hanford, the group was attracted to Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. because of its smaller real estate requirements, double drive-thru building model designed for speed, and 20-year history of success.

Hanford noted, "My partners, Fred and Terry, and I first started looking at Checkers because we love their fries. We strongly believe Checkers offers the best tasting food at the best value in the business. Looking deeper into quick-service franchise opportunities, we found that the brand provides a smaller building footprint, which is critical with today’s rising real estate costs, a knowledgeable and reliable corporate office that supports you, and powerful name recognition -- even in a new market like Harrisburg. Checkers is a franchisor that’s got it right, and we can’t wait to start serving its mouthwatering burgers and famous fries."

The exact locations for the new Checkers restaurants are pending. All 10 locations will be in the greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area, with the first two locations planned to open in York, Pennsylvania. The designated market area for Harrisburg is the 41st largest in the United States and includes the cities of Harrisburg, Lebanon and York.

"Checkers is uniquely poised for growth throughout the United States and this newest franchise and development agreement represents another significant move forward in our national expansion plans. Our franchise partners are the key factor in our Company’s growth and we are committed to providing rewarding incentives to restaurant developers capable of opening multiple units in order to meet our objectives," said Ron Levondosky, Executive Vice President of Franchise at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. "We are very pleased to welcome Stuart, Fred and Terry to our team and look forward to working with them to bring more Checkers restaurants to Pennsylvania."

Based in Tampa, Florida, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. has more than 800 restaurants in 28 States and the District of Columbia.

About Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. is the largest double drive-thru restaurant chain in the United States. The Company develops, owns, operates and Franchises quick-service Checkers® and Rally’s® double drive-thru restaurants. In recent years, Checkers/Rally’s has been awarded several of the industry’s most coveted recognitions: Best Drive-Thru in America in the QSR Drive-Thru Study for Rally’s; Nation’s Restaurant News Hot! Again Award for Checkers’ sizzling business performance; and the American Business AwardSM for the Best Executive in America. Checkers/Rally’s is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR®.