For a Checkers franchise, what is the total estimated initial investment range, excluding real estate and related costs?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ased operations.
1. MODULAR DESIGN DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (See Note 1) | $20,000 - $30,000 | Lump sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement. | Us | |
| Initial Advertising Deposit | $15,000 | Lump sum | When you begin construction at the Premises | NPF Inc. | |
| Asset Transfer Fee | $0 - $10,000 | Lump Sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement | Us | |
| Restaurant Building Costs (See Note 2) | $354,653- $1,292,640 | Dependent upon bank financing | As agreed | Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Restaurant Equipment & Technology (See Note 2) | $42,153 - $329,538 | As incurred | On ordering | Suppliers | |
| Soft Costs (see Note 3) | $17,200 - $225,625 | Dependent upon bank financing | Dependent upon bank financing | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Signage including | $11,914 - | As | On ordering | Suppliers | |
| Menuboards | $97,690 | incurred | |||
| Inventory (See Note | $4,000 - $12,000 | As | When delivered | Suppliers | |
| 4) | incurred | ||||
| Additional Funds - 3 Months (See Note 5) | $50,000 - $120,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Employees, suppliers, utilities, etc. |
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (exclusive of real estate and related costs (see Note 2 and 6)) | $514,920 - $2,132,493 |
2. CONVERSION RESTAURANT
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (See Note 1) | $20,000 - $30,000 | Lump sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement | Us | |
| Initial Advertising Deposit | $15,000 | Lump sum | When you begin construction at the Premises | National Production Fund | |
| Asset Transfer Fee | $0 - $10,000 | Lump Sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement | Us | |
| Restaurant Building (See Note 2) | $322,062- $739,445 | Dependent upon bank financing | As agreed | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Restaurant Equipment & Technology | $193,260- $329,538 | As incurred | On ordering | Suppliers | |
| Soft Costs (See Note 3) | $50,000- $89,710 | Dependent upon bank financing | Dependent upon bank financing | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Signage including | $29,050- | As incurred | On ordering | Us or Other | |
| Menuboards | $134,081 | Supplier | |||
| Inventory (See Note | $4,000 - | As incurred | When delivered | Suppliers | |
| 4) | $12,000 |
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Funds - 3 Months (See Note 5) | $50,000 - $120,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Employees, suppliers, utilities, etc. |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (exclusive of real estate and related costs (see Note 2 and 6)) | $683,372 - $1,479,774 |
3. SITE BUILT RESTAURANT
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (See Note 1) | $20,000 - $30,000 | Lump sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement | Us | |
| Initial Advertising Deposit | $15,000 | Lump sum | When you begin construction at the Premises | National Production Fund | |
| Asset Transfer Fee | $0 - $10,000 | Lump Sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement | Us | |
| Restaurant Building (See Note 2) | $785,150- $1,112,973 | Dependent upon bank financing | As agreed | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Restaurant Equipment & Technology | $122,976- $329,538 | As incurred | On ordering | Suppliers | |
| Soft Costs (See Note 3) | $28,500- $150,000 | Dependent upon bank financing | Dependent upon bank financing | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Signage including | $39,031- | As incurred | On ordering | Us or Other | |
| Menuboards | $97,690 | Supplier |
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory (See Note | $4,000 - | As incurred | When delivered | Suppliers |
| 4) | $12,000 | |||
| Additional Funds - 3 Months (See Note 5) | $50,000 - $120,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Employees, suppliers, utilities, etc. |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (exclusive of real estate and related costs (see Note 2 and 6)) | $1,064,657 - $1,877,201 |
4. ENDCAP RESTAURANT
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (See Note 1) | $20,000 - $30,000 | Lump sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement. | Us | |
| Initial Advertising Deposit | $15,000 | Lump sum | When you begin construction at the Premises | National Production Fund | |
| Asset Transfer Fee | $0 - $10,000 | Lump Sum | At time of signing the Franchise Agreement | Us | |
| Restaurant Building Costs (See Note 2) | $85,000 - $700,000 | Dependent upon bank financing | Dependent upon bank financing | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions | |
| Restaurant Equipment & Technology (See Note 2) | $199,763 - $329,538 | As incurred | On ordering | Suppliers | |
| Soft Costs (See Note 3) | $0 - $42,250 | Dependent upon bank financing | Dependent upon bank financing | Contractors, Suppliers, Lending Institutions |
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When Due | To whom payment is to be made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signage including | $9,607 - | As incurred | On ordering | Us or Other |
| Menuboards | $61,750 | Supplier | ||
| Inventory (See Note | $4,000 - | As incurred | When delivered | Suppliers |
| 4) | $12,000 | |||
| Additional Funds - 3 Months (See Note 5) | $50,000 - $120,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Employees, suppliers, utilities, etc. |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (exclusive of real estate and related costs (see Note 2 and 6)) | $383,370 - $1,320,538 |
5.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 30–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the total estimated initial investment necessary to begin operations ranges from $123,630 to $2,132,493, excluding real estate and related costs. This broad range suggests that the initial investment can vary significantly based on the restaurant model and location.
The investment includes expenses such as restaurant building costs, restaurant equipment and technology, soft costs, signage, inventory, and additional funds for the first three months of operation. Restaurant building costs can range from $2,630 to $1,292,640, while restaurant equipment and technology costs range from $25,000 to $352,000. The cost of soft costs can range from $0 to $225,625. Inventory costs range from $4,000 to $12,000, and additional funds for the first three months of operation range from $50,000 to $120,000.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review each component of the initial investment with Checkers to understand the factors that could cause their individual costs to fall at the higher end of the estimated range. Understanding these costs is crucial for securing adequate funding and ensuring a successful launch. Franchisees should also consider that these figures are estimates, and actual costs may vary based on factors such as management skill, local economic conditions, and competition.