What materials does Checkers claim copyright protection for?

According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Checkers claims copyright protection for the Operations Manual and printed advertising and promotional materials. However, Checkers has not registered these materials for copyright protection.

This means that while Checkers asserts ownership and control over these specific items, they have not taken the formal legal step of registering them with the copyright office. Registration provides additional legal benefits, such as the ability to more easily pursue infringement claims in court.

For a prospective franchisee, this indicates that Checkers places importance on controlling its brand and marketing. Franchisees must adhere to the guidelines and materials provided in the Operations Manual and advertising materials. While the lack of registration doesn't necessarily weaken Checkers' ability to protect these materials, it's something to keep in mind, especially if a franchisee plans to create any of their own marketing or operational materials.