The publicly traded fast-food chain already owns and operates 20locations in Nashville. At an estimated 5,000 sf per restaurantsite, Checkers figures its franchisee will own and operate a total54 locations totaling an estimated 270,000 sf by 2009, says AzizHashim, CEO of National Restaurant Development Inc.

"We have been extremely pleased with the performance of both ourCheckers and Rally's locations across all of our markets and we seetremendous potential for the brands," Hashim says in a preparedstatement. Checkers' common stock on the Nasdaq is trading in the$10.40-per-share range. The stock's 52-week high and low was $12.25and $8.15.

For fiscal 2004, Checkers/Rally's has signed developmentcontracts for 67 franchised units totaling an estimated 335,000 sfover the next five years, Hashim says. Checkers' vice president offranchises, Ron Levondosky, says the success of National RestaurantDevelopment is due to their "passion for the business, a commitmentto their stores and a dedication to operating the brand withexcellence."