``You Gotta Eat'' The Sequel: Checkers/Rally's Launches Second Generation Ad Campaign; Commercial to Premiere Tonight During the Grammy Awards in Many Major Markets.

Business, Restaurant & Consumer/Retail Editors

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2002

"We'll get you in, we'll get you out, and in between, without a doubt, we'll give you something really, really good -- that's Checkers." Fast food enthusiasts responded positively to those jingle lines throughout the year, and tonight, Checkers Drive-in Restaurants, Inc., (Nasdaq:CHKR), will launch the sequel to the Company's award winning 2001 campaign: You Gotta Eat(SM).

The new commercial will premiere tonight in many of the double drive-thru chain's markets during the Grammy(R) Awards, which typically ranks in the top five most viewed programs among adults each year. Last year, more than 35 million viewers tuned in for the awards nationwide.

"Based on our successes in 2001, we believe that You Gotta Eat is a winning concept that our customers, staff and stakeholders will continue to identify with and respond to enthusiastically," said Richard S. Turer, Vice President of Marketing, Checkers Drive-in Restaurants, Inc. "Now, we've taken that brand equity, built on it and expanded our message for 2002. We're excited and confident that this fresh, new and recognizable campaign will further position Checkers(R) and Rally's(R) as the brand of choice for those seeking quality, great value and `in-and-out' convenience."

The 2002 campaign introduces a new twist on the music-driven style that made the 2001 ads a hit, and pairs the music with more cool and unexpected ways that people can enjoy Checkers/Rally's food in their own "on-the-run" lives.

The 2002 campaign also expands on the You Gotta Eat theme by introducing a new idea: people crave the taste of Checkers/Rally's unique and distinctive menu items, and when they get that craving, nothing else will do.

"Our market research found that people have very positive emotions surrounding our food. They crave our seasoned fries, our fresh-to-order burgers, and our other unique menu items like chili cheese dogs and banana shakes," said Mr. Turer. "That's an important piece of our relationship with our customers, and it is a strong message in our new ads."

Checkers partnered with MARC USA and MARC Miami to research, create and execute both the 2001 and 2002 campaigns.

The first of a year-long series of commercials will premiere tonight on the Grammy Awards in many of Checkers/Rally's markets including: Tampa and Miami, Florida; New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana; Cincinnati, Toledo and Dayton, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, among other markets.

The Checkers/Rally's You Gotta Eat campaign line is being fully integrated into all points of customer contact including POP, crew uniforms and packaging.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (www.checkers.com) is the largest double drive-through restaurant chain in the United States. The company develops, produces, owns, operates and franchises quick service `double drive-thru' restaurants.

Except for historical information, this announcement contains "forward-looking" and "Safe Harbor" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking and Safe Harbor statements reflect management's expectations based upon currently available information and data; however, actual results are subject to future events and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to materially differ from those projected in these statements. Further information regarding factors that could affect the company's financial and other results is included in the company's Forms 10Q and 10K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.