<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10-AD 
                          PRIORITY CHARTER AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

     THIS AGREEMENT made this 1st day of September, 1994 by and between BURGER 
MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH BEND #3, INC., an Indiana Corporation, and QUALITY DINING, 
INC., an Indiana Corporation.

                              STATEMENT OF FACTS

     Burger Management of South Bend #3, Inc. ("Burger Management") owns a 
certain Beechcraft King Air B-200, Serial Number BB-1001 (the "Airplane") and 
Burger Management and Quality Dining, Inc. desire to provide for the use of the 
Airplane by Quality and its subsidiaries (collectively "Quality") from time to 
time throughout the term of this Agreement on the terms and conditions 
established herein.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions 
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   TERM. This Agreement shall be in effect for a period of six (6) months
          ----
from the date hereof. Thereafter, it shall automatically renew for successive 
six (6) month periods unless terminated by either party by thirty (30) days 
written notice.

     2.   PRIORITY CHARTER. Burger Management shall make the Airplane available 
          ----------------
to Quality, upon reasonable prior notice from Quality, throughout the term of 
this Agreement.

     3.   RENT. Quality shall pay to Burger Management, for the use of the
          ----
Airplane as provided herein, the sum of One Thousand One Hundred ($1,100.00) 
Dollars per hour that the Airplane is in operation for Quality. Quality shall 
submit payment to Burger Management within thirty (30) days of receipt of a 
statement for charges incurred hereunder.

     4.   FLAT RATE. The rental rate provided in paragraph 3 above is intended 
          ---------
to be a flat rate and Quality shall not be responsible for any expenses 
associated with operating the Airplane including but not limited to fuel, 
salaries and fringe benefits of pilots, taxes, insurance, hanger fees, landing 
fees, stand-by charges and/or pilots' meals and lodging.

     5.   MAINTENANCE. Burger Management agrees that the Airplane will at all 
          -----------
times

<PAGE>
 
be maintained to standards consistent with F.A.A. Regulation 135 and shall 
follow the Airplane's manufacturer's maintenance program and required inspection
guidelines, including, but not limited to, all airworthiness directives and 
service bulletins.

     6.   INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY. Burger Management shall maintain in full 
          -----------------------
force and effect throughout the term of this Agreement a comprehensive policy of
insurance on the Airplane issued by a responsible insurance company in a form 
and with liability limits as are customary for similar airplanes but in no 
event less than that which may be required from time to time by any governmental
agencies or regulations applicable to the Airplane. Burger Management shall 
indemnify and hold Quality harmless from any and all liability, loss or damage 
Quality may suffer as a result of claims, demands or judgments against it, 
arising out of the operation of the Airplane, including the reasonable cost of 
defense, whether or not such claims were rightfully asserted or filed.

     7.   PILOTS. The rental rate specified in paragraph 3 above includes two 
          ------
(2) qualified licensed pilots. Burger Management shall provide or arrange for 
all appropriate training of pilots for the Airplane and shall implement 
appropriate safety programs and other practices designed to maximize safe 
travel for passengers on the Airplane.

     8.   CONTROL. The Airplane shall at all times be under the exclusive 
          -------
control of the pilot and co-pilot operating the Airplane. Any and all decisions 
regarding flight plans, airworthiness of the Airplane, weather and/or any other 
matter or thing that could possibly affect the safe operation of the Airplane 
shall be made by the pilot, or in his absence, the co-pilot, whose 
determinations shall be conclusive. All of Quality's personnel and any other 
passengers on the Airplane at any time shall comply with any and all directives
given by the pilot and co-pilot.

     9.   BINDING EFFECT. The Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the 
          --------------
benefit of Burger Management and Quality and there respective successors and 
assigns.

     10.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
          ----------------

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
between the parties pertaining to the subject matter contained herein and 
supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations and 
understandings of the parties. No supplement, modification or amendment of this 
Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties. No waiver
shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party making the waiver.

     11.  RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. The relationship between Burger
          ---------------------------
Management and Quality is that of independent contractor and under no
circumstances shall any of the employees of one party be deemed to be the
employees of the other for any purpose. Nothing contained in this Agreement nor
any act of the parties shall be construed to create a principal and agent, joint
venture, partnership, or similar relationship between the parties.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals on 
the date and year first above written.



"BURGER MANAGEMENT"                               "QUALITY"

Burger Management of South                   Quality Dining, Inc.
 Bend #3, Inc.


/s/   Daniel B. Fitzpatrick                  /s/   Michael G. Sosinski
---------------------------                  -------------------------
By:   Daniel B. Fitzpatrick                  By:   Michael G. Sosinski
Its: President                               Its: Chief Financial Officer

                                       3