If Checkers conducts market research, what is a Checkers franchisee required to do?

According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to participate in Checkers' market research programs. This participation involves test marketing new food products and services in their restaurants. Franchisees must also provide Checkers with timely reports and other relevant information related to this market research.

In practical terms, this means a Checkers franchisee must be willing to allocate resources, including time and money, to test new menu items or service approaches that Checkers develops. This could involve training staff on new procedures, adjusting inventory to accommodate test products, and actively promoting these items to customers. The franchisee is also obligated to collect and submit data on the performance of these tests, which could include sales figures, customer feedback, and other metrics.

This requirement ensures that Checkers can gather real-world data on potential changes to the menu or service model before implementing them system-wide. While this benefits the overall brand by helping to refine its offerings, it also places a responsibility on the franchisee to actively contribute to this process. Franchisees must also purchase a reasonable quantity of such test products and make a reasonable effort to sell them.

It is important for prospective franchisees to understand that this participation is not optional. It is a condition of the franchise agreement, and failure to comply could potentially lead to consequences. Franchisees should factor in the potential costs and time commitment associated with market research when evaluating the overall investment and operational requirements of a Checkers franchise.