FORM 8-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 24, 2003 CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) DELAWARE 0-19649 58-1654960 (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) 4300 WEST CYPRESS STREET, SUITE 600, TAMPA FLORIDA 33607 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (813) 283-7000 Former name or former address (if changed since last report) NOT APPLICABLE Item 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE. On December 24, 2003, the Registrant issued a news release entitled "Checkers and Rally's Supply Chain Not Linked to Mad Cow", a copy is being filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. By:_________________________________ Name: Keith E. Sirois Title: CEO and President Dated: December 24, 2003 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release, dated December 24, 2003 Exhibit 99.1 CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC. 4300 West Cypress Street, Suite 600, Tampa, Florida 33607 * (813) 283-7000 * (813) 283-7001 CONTACT: Brad Cohen Investor Relations Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc. 203-222-9013, x238 Kim Francis MARC Public Relations 412-562-1186 Checkers and Rally's Supply Chain Not Linked to Mad Cow TAMPA, FL - December 24, 2003 - Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., (NASDAQ: CHKR), the nation's largest double drive-thru chain, today said that its supply chain is not linked to a case of mad cow disease found at a farm in Washington state. "The meat packer in question has no connection whatsoever to the Checkers(r) or Rally's(r) supply chain," said Kim Francis, spokesperson for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. "All our products come from USDA approved vendors. We are confident the USDA is investigating this situation seriously and are taking all the appropriate steps to safeguard our country's beef supply." 100: 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.