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)
May 7, 2003
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
Former name or former address (if changed since last report)
NOT APPLICABLE
Item 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On May 7, 2003, the Registrant issued a news release entitled
Checkers/Rallys Named Official Burger of the Indianapolis 500,
Brickyard 400; and issued a corresponding Video News Release,
a copy is being filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit
99.2, respectively.
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: Keith E. Sirois
Title: Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: May 7, 2003
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description
99.1 Press Release, dated May 7, 2003
99.2 Video News Release, dated May 7, 2003
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 CONTACT: Ron Green
Spokesperson, Checkers/Rallys Director of Public Relations
MARC Public Relations Indianapolis Motor Speedway
412-562-1186 317-492-6780
Exclusive Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sponsorship of Two of the Hottest
Tickets in NASCAR(R) and IRL IndyCar(TM)
Series Racing
TAMPA, Fla., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHKR), the nation's leading
double drive-thru chain, today announced that Checkers/Rally's and its
franchise community have agreed to an exclusive category sponsorship with the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, shifting the national brand presence of the
Company into high gear. Under the terms of the agreement, Checkers/Rally's is
the "Official Burger" of the Brickyard 400, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series
event, and the Indianapolis 500, part of the IRL IndyCar Series, two of
the hottest tickets in racing.
"Checkers Drive-In Restaurants is running on all eight cylinders, and I am
proud to announce that our Company and franchisees have joined forces to put
our brand presence on the `fast track' through this exclusive sponsorship,"
said Keith E. Sirois, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.'s interim CEO.
Mr. Sirois continued: "As the `Official Hamburger' of the Brickyard 400,
one of NASCAR's premier events, and the Indianapolis 500, the world's largest
single day sporting event, we have a tremendous opportunity to drive consumer
loyalty on a national scale, increase our brand awareness among the financial
community, and further our relationships with current and prospective
franchisees. For Checkers and Rally's, the road ahead is an exciting one."
The Indianapolis 500, which takes place on May 25, 2003, is the premiere
IRL IndyCar Series race and is viewed by 10 million nationally and by 200
million worldwide. The Brickyard 400, scheduled for August 3, 2003, is the
highest attended NASCAR event, with nearly 400,000 fans over three days and is
also the highest rated Winston Cup event on the NBC network schedule. In
addition to the Brickyard 400 and the Indy 500 sponsorships, Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants, Inc. acquired the naming rights for the "Indy 500 Pit Stop
Challenge," an Indy 500 race-week tradition for more than 26 years, which is
televised nationally on ESPN.
"We are very pleased that Checkers and Rally's have chosen to become a
part of the traditions that surround the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard
400," said Tony George, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, with its brand position of double drive-thru
speed, is a strong addition to our roster of corporate sponsors, and we look
forward to an exciting racing season with them."
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and its franchisees chose to sponsor
the Brickyard 400 and the Indianapolis 500 for several strategic reasons.
Checkers and Rally's key markets share a strong demographic match with these
races and motorsports' biggest fans. The Company's markets correspond with top
motorsports markets: Southeast Checkers markets are the traditional origin of
avid stock car fans; Midwest Rally's markets are home to open wheel fans; and
the Westcoast Rally's markets are the birth place of drag racing and street
rods.
"Motorsports is the fastest growing spectator sport in the country, and
there are strategic synergies between the demographics of the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway and Checkers/Rally's. We see this as a tremendous opportunity
for Checkers/Rally's to drive brand awareness on a national scale," said
Richard S. Turer, Vice President of Marketing, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants,
Inc.
"Like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we thrive on speed, quality,
teamwork, leadership, and of course, cars that move fast through our drive-
thrus," continued Mr. Turer. "This similarity in brand personalities and
values makes our association with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a natural
connection. I am proud to have played a part in delivering this exclusive
sponsorship to our franchise community and to the Checkers/Rally's brands."
As the "Official Hamburger" of the Brickyard 400, a NASCAR(R) Winston Cup
Series Event, and the Indianapolis 500, the premiere IRL IndyCar Series
race, Checkers and Rally's sponsorship includes:
-- Category exclusivity as the official quick-service/fast-food partner of
each race.
-- Rights to sell Checkers and Rally's food at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway.
-- Use of Brickyard 400 and Indianapolis 500 Marks in Checkers/Rally's
commercials, print, POP and other marketing materials as well as
consumer promotions and sweepstakes.
-- National media placement opportunities in and around the races on NBC,
ABC and ESPN.
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. http://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.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909 and is the international
leader in motorsports entertainment. Home since 1911 to the Indianapolis 500,
the world's largest single day sporting event, the Speedway also hosts the
Brickyard 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race and the United States Grand Prix Formula
One race, two of the largest single day sporting events in the world. The
Speedway property includes the Hall of Fame Museum, the Brickyard Crossing 18-
hole championship golf course and the Brickyard Crossing Inn.
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.
Exhibit 99.2
CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC.
4300 West Cypress Street, Suite 600,
Tampa, Florida 33607
* (813) 283-7000 * (813) 283-7001
CONTACT: Kim Francis
Spokesperson, Checkers/Rallys
MARC Public Relations
412-562-1186
MEDIA ALERT
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. Issues Video News Release:
Checkers/Rallys Named Official Burger of the Brickyard 400, a NASCAR Winston
Cup Series Event, and the Indianapolis 500, part of the IRL IndyCar Series
TAMPA, FL May 7, 2003 Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
will provide a Video News
Release on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, announcing
that Checkers/Rallys and its franchise
community have agreed to an exclusive category
sponsorship with the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, shifting the national brand presence of
the Company into high gear. A
full press release that provides details about the
sponsorship was issued earlier
today at approximately 1:30 p.m. EST via PRNewswire.
The video news release will feature:
Comments from Keith E. Sirois, Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants, Inc.'s interim CEO, and
Richard S. Turer, Vice President of Marketing,
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
Comments from Joie Chitwood, Senior Vice President of Business
Affairs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Footage of the contract-signing event, featuring Tony George,
President and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Keith Sirois,
Checkers' interim CEO; members of Checkers/Rallys Franchise Advisory
Council; and members of the IMS sales and marketing staff.
The date, time and coordinates for the release are:
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2003
Time: 4 - 4:30 p.m. EST
Coordinates: AMC 2, Transponder K18
Audio 6.2/6.8
Download Frequency 12060 horizontal
Note: The AMC 2 satellite formerly was known as the GE 2 satellite.