<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 QUARTERLY
PERIODS ENDED MARCH 27, 2000 AND MARCH 22, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           JAN-1-2001              JAN-3-2000
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-4-2000             DEC-29-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-27-2000             MAR-22-1999
<CASH>                                           5,995                   7,971
<SECURITIES>                                         0                  22,662
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,557<F1>               3,060<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,660                     872
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                49,300                  13,323
<PP&E>                                          48,317                  60,290
<DEPRECIATION>                                  47,533                  53,992
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 157,178                 122,202
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,599                  19,204
<BONDS>                                         41,793                  61,172
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             9                   2,961
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,629                  29,955
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   157,178                 122,202
<SALES>                                         49,511                  29,040
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                52,187                  30,119
<CGS>                                           45,292                  26,007
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,034                  30,010
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                    (10)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,906                   1,685
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (497)                 (1,822)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (534)                 (1,859)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (534)                 (1,859)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    109                     256
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (425)                 (1,603)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.05)                  (0.33)<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.05)                  (0.33)<F2>
<FN>
<F1>(1) RECEIVABLES CONSIST OF --
    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - NET                $  2,456                $  2,596
    NOTES RECEIVABLE -NET                         101                     464
    TOTAL                                    $  2,557                $  3,060
<F2>(2) RESTATED TO GIVE EFFECT TO MERGER
</FN>


</TABLE>