Checkers(R)/Rally's(R) Summer Blockbuster Movie Sweepstakes Leverages NASCAR(R) Sponsorship

Checkers(R)/Rally's(R) Summer Blockbuster Movie Sweepstakes Leverages NASCAR(R) Sponsorship

'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' Starring Will Ferrell Featured in 'Fully Loaded Sweepstakes'

TAMPA, Fla., June 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHKR), the nation's largest chain of double drive- thru restaurants, today announced its summer promotion event combining great food and great fun. As the Official Drive-Thru of NASCAR(R), the Company joins forces with Columbia Pictures to promote "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," starring Will Ferrell as the fictional NASCAR driver, Ricky Bobby.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060620/FLTU021-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060620/FLTU021-b
Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020528/CHECKERSLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020528/RALLYSLOGO )

Until August 31st, 2006 (or while supplies last), Checkers(R)/Rally's(R) customers can play the "Talladega Nights Fully Loaded Sweepstakes" for the chance to win a Fully Loaded Ford(R) F-150(R) customized by Mark III, a Winnebago(R) Weekend at a NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway, food giveaways and more.

"We are very pleased to have partnered with NASCAR and Columbia Pictures," said Richard S. Turer, Vice President of Marketing for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. "In addition to our unbeatable two for $3.00 Double Cheeseburger event this summer, our guests have the opportunity to participate in the sweepstakes when they purchase our new Fully Loaded Fries or a large Coke(R)."

This summer, Checkers/Rally's will also launch a series of new menu items, including a line of new Fully Loaded sandwiches -- a triple cheeseburger and a new Premium Chicken Strip Sandwich, both served on toasted sourdough bread with bacon, cheddar and ranch dressing.

"By combining our brand with powerhouses like NASCAR and Columbia Pictures for the 'Fully Loaded Sweepstakes', Checkers/Rally's is able to expose a wide audience of brand loyal fans to our new Fully Loaded menu items," added Turer. "More importantly, these partnerships provide a strategic fit to our brand, emphasizing our dedication to speed, accuracy and fun."

During the Checkers/Rally's "Fully Loaded Sweepstakes," which runs through August 31st, 2006 (or while supplies last), millions of outstanding food offers and prizes can be won. When customers order Checkers/Rally's Fully Loaded Fries or a large drink*, they can peel game pieces to reveal instant- win prizes or food offers, as well as receive one of the letters needed to spell "FULLY LOADED" for a chance to participate in the Sweepstakes Drawing.

Customers who correctly spell out "FULLY LOADED" with their game pieces have the chance to win the grand prize, a Fully Loaded Ford F-150. There is also a separate sweepstakes online at http://www.checkers.com/ .

Other Sweepstakes prizes include:

-- 1st Prize (1): Fully Loaded trip for four to a NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway, complete with usage of a Checkers/Rally's Fully Loaded Winnebago, and a one-year supply of Checkers/Rally's Fully Loaded Fries.

-- 2nd Prize (10): Fully Loaded trip for two to a 2007 NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway and a one-year supply of Checkers/Rally's Fully Loaded Fries.

Instant Win prizes and special food offers include:

-- Instant Win 3rd Prize: "Talladega Nights" Prize Package complete with DVD release of the movie and a wearable item.

-- Instant Win 4th Prize: Collectible Checkers/Rally's NASCAR-licensed stainless steel travel mug.

-- Millions of Food offers including: free Fully Loaded Fries, sandwiches, shakes, drinks and more.

Official Rules for the "Fully Loaded Sweepstakes" can be obtained at your local participating Checkers/Rally's or at http://www.checkers.com/ through August 31st, 2006.

Columbia Pictures' comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" tells the story of NASCAR racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell), whose "win at all costs" approach has made him a national hero. He and his loyal racing partner and childhood friend, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo that thrill their fans by finishing most races in the top spots -- with Ricky Bobby always leading the pack. When a flamboyant French Formula One driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), challenges him for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.

Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole and Michael Clarke Duncan star in Columbia Pictures' "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," which is directed by Adam McKay and written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller are the producers. David Householter, Richard Glover and Sarah Nettinga are the executive producers. The supporting cast includes Leslie Bibb, Jane Lynch, Amy Adams, David Koechner, Ian Roberts, Jack McBrayer, Greg Germann, Pat Hingle and Andy Richter.

"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is in theaters nationwide on August 4th, 2006.

* No purchase necessary to enter or win.

About Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. ( http://www.checkers.com/ ) is the largest double drive-thru restaurant chain in the United States. The Company develops, owns, operates and franchises quick-service Checkers and Rally's double drive-thru restaurants. In 2005, Checkers/Rally's was awarded two of the industry's most coveted recognitions: Best Drive-Thru in America 2005 in the QSR Drive-Thru Study for Rally's, and Nation's Restaurant News Hot! Again Award for Checkers' sizzling business performance. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/ .

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.

CONTACT: Kim Francis
Director of Communications
Checkers(R)/Rally's(R)
813/283-7078
francisk@checkers.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060620/FLTU021-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060620/FLTU021-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020528/CHECKERSLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020528/RALLYSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

CONTACT: Kim Francis, Director of Communications, Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants, +1-813-283-7078, or francisk@checkers.com

Web site: http://www.checkers.com/
http://www.sonypictures.com/

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