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)
March 19, 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 March 19, 2003, the Registrant issued a news release entitled
"Checkers Announces Stock Repurchase," and 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:  Daniel J. Dorsch
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated:  March 19, 2003

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description

99.1			Press Release, dated March 19, 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:    David Koehler, CFO		NEWS RELEASE
            813-283-7000

            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TAMPA, FL - March 19, 2003  - CHECKERS DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS, INC.
(NASDAQ: CHKR) today announced its Board of Directors
has approved a share repurchase program authorizing
the Company to repurchase up to 1.3 million shares
of its common stock.  Under the plan, the Company may
purchase common stock from time to time in the open
market or in privately negotiated block purchase
transactions.  The amount and timing of any purchases
will be at the discretion of management based on an
assessment of several factors, including the price and
availability of the Company's shares, the Company's
financial condition and the overall market environment.
Shares repurchased may be reserved for later reissue.

As of December 30, 2002, the Company had 12,317,601 shares
of common stock outstanding.

About Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.:

As of December 30, 2002, Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants, Inc. and its franchisees own
398 Checkers (operating primarily in the
Southeastern United States and 386 Rally's
(operating primarily in the Midwestern United
States.  Checkers is headquartered in Tampa,
Florida.

For more information about the Company, please visit
www.checkers.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.  These forward-looking
and Safe Harbor statements reflect management's expectations based
upon currently available information and data; however, actual results
are subject to future events and uncertainties, which could cause
actual results to materially differ from those projected in these statements.
Factors that can cause actual results to materially differ include,
but are not limited to: the uncertainties associated with litigation;
increased advertising, promotions and discounting by
competitors which may adversely affect sales; the ability
of the company and its franchisees to open
new restaurants and operate new and existing
restaurants profitability; increases in food, labor, utilities,
employee benefits and similar costs; economic and political
conditions where the company or its franchisees operate;
and new product and concept developments by food industry
competitors.  Further information regarding factors that could
affect the company's financial and other results is included
in the Company's Forms 10Q and 10K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.