What additional fee do 'Western Licensees' who obtain advertising material from Checkers' advertising agency pay?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In 1997, in response to certain issues raised by several Rally's franchisees in California and Arizona, and in a mutual effort to avoid a protracted dispute, we agreed to a material modification of the franchise agreements with the affected California and Arizona Rally's franchisees. The Rally's franchisees are referred to as the "Western Licensees," and they have agreed to execute license agreements to replace their franchise agreements. Under the "Western License Agreement," the Western Licensees will pay a reduced royalty (1% of Net Sales), and we have agreed that the services that we are obligated to provide to them will be materially different from, and will be substantially less than, the services that we provide to franchisees under the Franchise Agreement. Under the Western License Agreement, those Rally's franchisees who elect to obtain advertising material from our advertising agency will pay a license fee of 2% of Net Sales. We do not offer new or additional Western License Agreements as part of this Franchise Disclosure Document.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, 'Western Licensees' are Rally's franchisees in California and Arizona who, in 1997, agreed to a modification of their franchise agreements to avoid a dispute. These 'Western Licensees' operate under a 'Western License Agreement'.
Under the terms of the 'Western License Agreement', these franchisees pay a reduced royalty fee of 1% of Net Sales. However, if these 'Western Licensees' choose to obtain advertising material from Checkers' advertising agency, they will incur an additional license fee. This fee is set at 2% of Net Sales.
It is important to note that Checkers does not offer new or additional 'Western License Agreements' as part of the current Franchise Disclosure Document. This information is relevant for historical context and understanding the different types of franchise agreements that may exist within the Checkers/Rally's system, but it does not apply to new franchisees.