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)
April 16, 2004
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 April 16, 2004, the Registrant issued
a news release entitled "Checkers Drive-
In Restaurants, Inc. Teams up with Cure
Autism Now Foundation Checkers/Rally's
sponsors Team CAN and offers collectible cup",
a copy of which is attached hereto 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: Keith E. Sirois
Title: Director, CEO and President
Dated: April 16, 2004
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description
99.1 Press Release, dated April 16, 2004
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 Francise
MARC Public Relations
412-562-1186
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. Teams
up with Cure Autism Now Foundation
Checkers(R)/Rally's(R) sponsors Team CAN and
offers collectible cup
TAMPA, FL - April 16, 2004 - Checkers
Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHKR),
the nation's largest double drive-thru
chain and Official Burger of the Indianapolis
500(R), today announced that it will sponsor the
Team Cure Autism Now ("CAN") Foundation race
car, part of the Kelley Racing Team, to be
entered in the 2004 Indy 500.
"We are very pleased to sponsor Team CAN because
they have a national reputation as an active,
dedicated charity, committed to curing Autism,"
said Richard S. Turer, Vice President of
Marketing, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
"Through the Team CAN sponsorship, we have the
opportunity to further expand our presence in
the Indy family, while raising money and
awareness for an important cause."
In addition to sponsoring Team CAN at the Indy
500, Checkers(R)/Rally's(R) stores will offer a
collectible, large-drink Team CAN Cup featuring
the CAN car and Sarah Fisher, Team driver. A
portion of the proceeds from every large-drink
sold will be donated to CAN, with an expected
total donation of $100,000. This offer will be
promoted through TV spots featuring actor,
Anthony Edwards, point-of-purchase signage,
newspaper inserts and an ad in the Indy 500
program.
Turer continues: "While Checkers/Rally's has
been very active in charitable work throughout
the Company's history on a store-by-store or
even regional basis, the CAN sponsorship is our
first national, system-wide cause marketing
initiative."
"Checkers/Rally's teamed up with Sarah Fisher
last year as a sponsor of her car in the Indy
500. After we signed with Team CAN, we learned
that Sarah would be joining the team. Sarah is
an exciting driver to watch, and she really
connects with her fans," added Turer. "We're
just thrilled to have her as the CAN driver and
to have the opportunity to work with her again
this year."
Checkers/Rally's is currently the Official
Burger of the Indy 500, Brickyard 400(R) and
title sponsor of the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge.
Checkers/Rally's is also the Official Burger of
the Tampa Bay Devil Rays(R) Major League Baseball
team. Other sports sponsorships have previously
included "Official Burger" status for the St.
Louis Rams(R), New Orleans Saints(R), Tampa Bay
Buccaneers(R) and Atlanta Falcons(R).
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
(www.checkers.com) is the largest double
drive-thru 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.
Photo caption:
As part of Checkers(R)/Rally's(R) Team Cure Autism
Now sponsorship, Checkers/Rally's stores will
offer a collectible, large-drink Team CAN Cup
featuring the CAN car and Sarah Fisher, Team
driver. A portion of the proceeds from every
large-drink sold will be donated to CAN, with
an expected total donation of $100,000.