Does Checkers have a Franchisee Advisory Council, and if so, who appoints the members?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Neither we nor NPF, Inc. have created an advisory council and we and NPF, Inc. are not obligated to seek the advice of owners of Restaurants, including franchisees, by formal (e.g., advisory council or other representative body) or informal means with respect to the creative concepts and media used for programs financed by the NPF. However, because we value input from the franchise network, we (and/or NPF, Inc.) may choose to seek such advice from operators of Restaurants, and so have established a Franchisee Advisory Council that includes a marketing subcommittee. We appoint the members of the Franchisee Advisory Council, which includes both "Checkers" and "Rally's" franchisees. We have the right to change or dissolve these groups.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 46–57)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, neither Checkers nor NPF, Inc. is obligated to seek advice from franchisees through formal means like an advisory council. However, because Checkers values input from the franchise network, they have established a Franchisee Advisory Council that includes a marketing subcommittee.
Checkers appoints the members of this Franchisee Advisory Council, which includes both "Checkers" and "Rally's" franchisees. Checkers retains the right to change or dissolve these groups. This council allows Checkers to gather insights and feedback from franchisees, although the company is not required to follow the council's advice.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that while Checkers values franchisee input, participation in the advisory council is not guaranteed, and the company ultimately makes the final decisions. Franchisees should consider this when evaluating the level of influence they may have on the overall direction of the franchise system.