ENCINO, CA--May 4, 2006
Operation Gratitude today announced that Checkers/Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHKR), the nation’s largest chain of double drive-thru restaurants and America Supports You are supporting Operation Gratitude’s effort to send care packages to U.S. Troops deployed overseas. In honor of Military Appreciation Month, May 2006, CheckersŪ/Rally’sŪ has joined the Operation Gratitude Patriotic Drive to collect items for care packages that will be sent to America’s brave military men and women overseas in time for the Fourth of July.

To officially kick-off the Patriotic Drive, Checkers/Rally’s has pledged to donate $100,000 to Operation Gratitude if Joe Nemechek, driver of the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, wins the NEXTEL Cup 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, May 6. That following Monday, May 8, Checkers/Rally’s participating restaurants will begin collecting gifts for the troops.

“With the contributions of Checkers/Rally’s and its guests, we will be able to send at least 40,000 care packages to our troops for the Fourth of July,” said Carolyn Blashek, Founder of Operation Gratitude. “We thank Checkers/Rally’s for its continued support and for its generous commitment to donate $100,000 if Joe Nemechek wins at Richmond. By serving as official Drop-Off sites for donations, Checkers/Rally’s makes it very simple for American citizens to participate in Operation Gratitude and enables us to continue and expand our mission. Since our inception in March, 2003, we have sent more than 111,000 care packages filled with good wishes to our troops deployed overseas, and we will send our 150,000th package during this Patriotic Drive.”

“Our troops throughout the world will know they are appreciated and supported at home this Fourth of July when they receive their care packages including items donated by Checkers/Rally’s guests,” said Keith E. Sirois, President and CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. “Checkers/Rally’s is committed to supporting those who serve our country, and this initiative with Operation Gratitude and America Supports You allows our team members and our guests to do something memorable for our service members overseas.”

The Checkers/Rally’s Collection for the Patriotic Drive will run from May 8 to June 14. Collection bins for gift donations will be located at participating Checkers/Rally’s restaurants nationwide. DHL is handling delivery of the care package donations from the restaurants to Operation Gratitude.

This will be Operation Gratitude’s Third Annual Patriotic Drive, during which thousands of volunteers and supporters locally and across the country will participate in the assembling of at least 40,000 care packages. The packaging takes place at the California Army National Guard Armory, 17330 Victory Blvd; Van Nuys, CA on the following dates from 10a.m. to 5p.m. daily:
May 20-21, 2006 (Armed Forces Weekend)
May 27-29, 2006 (Memorial Weekend)
June 17-18, 2006 (Father’s Day Weekend)

Items requested for donation include:

• Cooling devices: mini battery-operated fans and bandana cool ties
• Entertainment items: DVDs, CDs and hand-held games
• High-tech gear: computer flash drives, disposable cameras and international calling cards
• Snack foods: small packages of beef jerky, trail mix, energy bars and sunflower seeds
• Personal letters of support

“Operation Gratitude and the California Army National Guard are deeply appreciative for the support of American citizens and Corporate Sponsors all across the country” said SSG Elizabeth Cowie, Operation Gratitude Military Liaison. “Together we will let our troops know that Americans do care.”

Learn more...

Operation Gratitude ( www.operationgratitude.com ) is the California- based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that sends care packages addressed to individually named U.S. troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay, Kosovo and on military ships all over the world. Operation Gratitude was founded in March 2003 and is funded entirely by private donations and staffed exclusively by volunteers. Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to all troops the appreciation and support of the American people. For safety and security, the assembling of packages occurs at the California Army National Guard, 746th QM BN Armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude has delivered more than 111,000 packages to American troops deployed overseas.

About Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. (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 America Supports You Since the launch of the America Supports You program in November 2004, more than one million Americans, including citizens, businesses and organizations have logged onto www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil to register the activities and projects in their communities that show their support for America’s Armed Forces, especially those serving in harm’s way. For more information about America Supports You, contact Michelle Shortencarrier at (202) 414-0791 or visit www.americasupportsyou.mil.