What is the role of an 'Operator' other than the franchisee or Operating Partner in the management of a Checkers restaurant?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
8.04 Management of Business. The Franchised Restaurant at all times must be under the direct, on-premises supervision of you (or your Operating Partner), or an Operator other than you (or your Operating Partner) that you appoint and authorize to conduct day-to-day business activities at the Franchised Restaurant, either of whom must (a) have sufficient experience (in our sole opinion) in the operation of a quick service restaurant; and (b) have successfully completed our initial training program to our satisfaction.
Even if you appoint an Operator for day-to-day operations, you (or your Operating Partner) must remain active in overseeing the Franchised Restaurant's ongoing business activities. If you (or your Operating Partner) own more than one Restaurant, then each such Restaurant must be under the direct on-premises
supervision of an Operator with sufficient experience (in our sole opinion) in the operation of a quick service restaurant that we have approved.
You (or your Operating Partner) must keep us informed at all times of the identity of your Operator(s), and ensure that such personnel are competent and proficient in their duties. You (or your Operating Partner) are solely responsible for all employment decisions for the Franchised Restaurant, including hiring, firing, remuneration, personnel policies, training, benefits, and maintaining supervision and discipline.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 91–92)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an Operator, other than the franchisee or Operating Partner, is appointed and authorized to conduct day-to-day business activities at the franchised restaurant. To qualify, the Operator must have sufficient experience in quick-service restaurant operations, as determined by Checkers, and must successfully complete Checkers' initial training program.
Even with an appointed Operator, the franchisee or Operating Partner must remain actively involved in overseeing the restaurant's ongoing business. If the franchisee or Operating Partner owns multiple Checkers restaurants, each location must have an Operator with the necessary experience approved by Checkers.
The franchisee or Operating Partner is responsible for keeping Checkers informed about the identity of their Operators and ensuring these individuals are competent in their roles. Ultimately, the franchisee or Operating Partner retains full responsibility for all employment-related decisions at the restaurant, including hiring, firing, compensation, personnel policies, training, benefits, and maintaining supervision and discipline.