<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC., FOR THE TWO
QUARTERS ENDED JUNE 19, 2000 AND JUNE 14, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-2001 JAN-03-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-04-2000 DEC-29-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-19-2000 JUN-14-1999
<CASH> 4,921 11,606
<SECURITIES> 0 22,117
<RECEIVABLES> 7,297<F1> 2,431<F1>
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 1,455 922
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 36,290 17,049
<PP&E> 88,811 116,057
<DEPRECIATION> 43,528 55,780
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 143,331 124,397
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,288 21,678
<BONDS> 0 52,184
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 9 2,961
<OTHER-SE> 47,760 30,310
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 143,331 124,397
<SALES> 92,757 64,197
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 99,292 66,487
<CGS> 84,141 56,272
<TOTAL-COSTS> 95,216 64,174
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (392) (300)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,548 3,357
<INCOME-PRETAX> 920 (1,628)
<INCOME-TAX> 74 74
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 846 (1,702)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 261 454
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,107 (1,248)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.12<F2> (0.26)<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.12<F2> (0.26)<F2>
<FN>
<F1>(1) Receivables consist of--
Accounts Receivable - net $ 1,601 $ 1,938
Notes Receivable - net 3,927 403
Lease receivables, net 1,769 -
------------------
Total $ 7,297 $ 2,341
==================
<F2>(2) Restated to give effect to Merger
</FN>
</TABLE>