FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Current Report Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
October 4, 2002
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
DELAWARE 0-19649 58-1654960
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
4300 WEST CYPRESS STREET, SUITE 600, TAMPA FLORIDA 33607
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (813) 283-7000
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On October 1, 2002, the Registrant issued a news release entitled
"Checkers(r)/Rally's(r) "You Gotta EatSM" Ad Wins Top Industry Advertising
Award," and a copy is being filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC.
By:_________________________________
Name: Daniel J. Dorsch
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: October 4, 2002
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description
99.1 Press Release, dated October 1, 2002
Exhibit 99.1
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC.
4300 West Cypress Street, Suite 600, Tampa, Florida 33607 *
(813) 283-7000 * (813) 283-7001
CONTACT: Kim Francis NEWS RELEASE
MARC Public Relations
412-562-1186
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Double drive-thru chain awarded
NRN's Eat & Ear Award for Excellence in Television Advertising
TAMPA, FL - October 1, 2002 - The fun, music-driven campaign line
"You Gotta EatSM" has become synonymous with the Checkers(r) and
Rally's(r) brands over the past two years, resonating positively with
fast food enthusiasts across the country. Now, Nation's Restaurant News,
the newsweekly of the food service industry and producer of the Multi-Unit
Food Operators (MUFSO) conference, has officially recognized the power
and effectiveness of these commercials, awarding Checkers Drive-in
Restaurants, Inc., (NASDAQ: CHKR), the coveted Eat & Ear Award for Excellence
in Television Advertising.
91:
"Checkers and Rally's is truly back and with a vengeance. The
recognition from our peers is extremely meaningful to our entire
team, to our agency and to our partners. We have worked hard to
move our brands forward by developing creative which is on target,
by implementing media plans that are both affordable and
effective, and by executing at our double drive-thru concepts
better each and every day," said Richard S. Turer, Vice President
of Marketing at Checkers Drive-in Restaurants, Inc.
Mr. Turer continued: "Our franchise community has been extremely
supportive of our marketing initiatives over the past two years -
a critical component to the overall success of our business.
'You Gotta Eat' is a winner. Customers, team members and
stockholders continue to identify with this campaign and respond
enthusiastically. I am thrilled to receive this prestigious
award."
The 2002 "You Gotta Eat" campaign introduced a new twist on the
music-driven style that made the 2001 ads a hit, and paired the
music with more cool and unexpected ways that people can enjoy
Checkers/Rally's food in their own "on-the-run" lives. The 2002
campaign also expanded on the "You Gotta Eat" theme by
introducing a new idea: people crave the taste of Checkers/Rally's
unique and distinctive menu items, and when they get that
craving, nothing else will do.
Checkers partnered with MARC USA and MARC Miami to research,
create and execute both the 2001 and 2002 campaigns.
The new commercial premiered in February of this year in many
Checkers/Rally's markets during the Grammy(r) Awards, which
typically ranks in the top five most viewed programs among adults
each year. In addition to the television commercials, the
Checkers/Rally's "You Gotta Eat" campaign line has been fully
integrated into all points of customer contact including POP,
crew uniforms and packaging.
Checkers/Rally's received the Excellence in Television Advertising
award in the category of Best Single Television Commercial for a
company with annual system-wide sales of $100 to $500 million.
All entries were judged on the basis of creativity,
originality and effective use of the television-advertising
medium. Checkers/Rally's received the award at the annual MUFSO
conference on Monday, September 30, 2002.
The Eat & Ear awards are sponsored by Dr. Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.
The awards for Excellence in Advertising on Television, Radio and
Outdoor are presented to foodservice operators in three
different categories, based on system-wide sales. The winning
advertisements for the previous 12 months are selected by a panel
of leading advertising, production, media and creative executives.
The award program is administered by Madigan & McManus.
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (www.checkers.com) is the
largest double drive-through restaurant chain in the United
States. The company develops, produces, owns, operates and
franchises quick service 'double drive-thru' restaurants.
Except for historical information, this announcement contains
"forward-looking" and Safe Harbor" statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-
looking and Safe Harbor statements reflect management's
expectations based upon currently available information and data;
however, actual results are subject to future events and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to materially
differ from those projected in these statements. Further
information regarding factors that could affect the company's
financial and other results is included in the company's
Forms 10Q and 10K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.