The vendor opportunity at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants operates 719 total units in the quick-service restaurant segment, with 499 franchised locations and 220 company-owned stores. For software vendors, the 499 franchised units represent the primary addressable market, though the 220 corporate locations may also present opportunities depending on the solution. The brand’s average unit volume sits at $1,136,589, signaling healthy per-store economics that can support technology investment.
The franchise system runs on a 20-year initial term with a 4.0% royalty rate. Year-over-year unit growth is not disclosed in the most recent FDD. The brand’s headquarters are in Florida.
Who controls software purchasing
The FDD does not identify specific executives or a centralized technology buying center. With a mixed system of company-owned and franchised units, purchasing authority is likely distributed. Corporate locations presumably fall under HQ-led procurement, while franchisees may have autonomy for non-mandated solutions. Vendors should prepare for a multi-stakeholder sales process that may require buy-in at both the franchisor and franchisee levels.
Mandated and current tech stack
Aloha POS is the only mandated technology disclosed in the FDD. No additional operational, back-of-house, or customer-facing platforms appear in the available Item 11 signals. This narrow mandate leaves significant white space for complementary solutions in areas like labor scheduling, inventory management, delivery integration, and loyalty. Vendors offering integrations with Aloha POS will have a technical advantage when pitching this system.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
The FDD does not provide an Item 8 extract detailing the procurement model. It remains unclear whether Checkers uses a designated supplier program, an approved supplier list, or an open procurement framework for technology. Vendors should clarify this early in the discovery process.
Renewal terms offer a clear timing signal. Franchisees may be granted one additional 10-year or 20-year term under the then-current franchise agreement, which may contain materially different terms from the original contract. These renewal windows are natural inflection points where operators evaluate new technology. Mapping franchisee agreement start dates against the 20-year initial term can help vendors anticipate when these windows open.
How to read the Checkers Drive-In Restaurants FDD
The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document is the authoritative source for understanding Checkers’ technology mandates, supplier requirements, and contractual rhythms. Key sections for software vendors include Item 11 (franchisor’s obligations) for mandated tech, Item 8 (restrictions on sources of products and services) for procurement rules, and Item 17 (renewal, termination, transfer) for contract timing. The full FDD is embedded below for your review.
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