
Great Steak, celebrated as America's leading cheesesteak franchise, has been delighting customers with classic American cheesesteaks since 1985. The franchise has effectively tapped into the increasing demand for authentic comfort food, especially the cheesesteak, which has experienced a rise in popularity nationwide.
The simplicity of Great Steak's business model is one of its distinguishing features, focusing on cheesesteaks that attract a wide range of customers, including millennials.
These customers value the brand's dedication to quality ingredients and the option to customize their meals. Since its establishment and the start of its franchising in 1986, Great Steak has been based in Scottsdale, Arizona, under the umbrella of Kahala Brands.
Great Steak is particularly appealing to aspiring entrepreneurs interested in the competitive sandwich market because of its efficient operations and reasonable startup costs.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Great Steak offers 2 types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a a traditional Great Steak franchise.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Great Steak offers a thorough training program for its franchisees, ensuring they are fully prepared to efficiently manage and operate their franchise. This training is meticulously designed to cover every fundamental aspect of running a Great Steak restaurant, from food preparation to exceptional customer service.
Training Program Components
The training program is divided into two primary components: In-Store Training and New Owner Training. Each component is approximately 40 hours, making for a comprehensive 80-hour training experience. The In-Store Training focuses on the practical, everyday operations within a Great Steak restaurant, while the New Owner Training addresses the broader aspects of business management and franchise operations.
In-Store Training
In-Store Training takes place at a designated training store, offering hands-on experience in restaurant operations. Trainees gain practical knowledge in food preparation, customer service, cleanliness standards, and other essential daily tasks. This segment ensures franchisees understand the operational standards and procedures necessary to maintain Great Steak's high quality and service levels.
New Owner Training
New Owner Training may be conducted either online or in person, at the franchisor's discretion. When held in person, this training occurs at the Great Steak training and education center in Scottsdale, Arizona, or another location specified by the franchisor. This segment covers managerial aspects, including leadership, financial management, marketing strategies, and employee training techniques.
Great Steak does not offer franchisees exclusive or protected territories for their restaurants. The Franchise Agreement and related documents make it clear that franchisees should not anticipate any territorial rights preventing the franchisor from opening franchised or corporate-owned locations of food concepts similar to Great Steak in the vicinity of their restaurant.
Furthermore, there may already be existing locations of similar food concepts, owned by the franchisor’s affiliates, operating near the franchisee's restaurant. This arrangement means franchisees may encounter direct competition from other franchisees or the franchisor itself within or near their operational area, without any territorial protection against such competition.
Below are some of
Great Steak
key competitors in the
Sandwich
sector.

24
$30,000
$154,000
$663,000
n.a.
$465,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

Earl of Sandwich
$200K - $500K
24
$25,000
$315,000
$664,000
n.a.
$0
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

Ike's
$100K - $200K
6
$80,000
$141,000
$614,000
n.a.
$475,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

Erik's DeliCafe is a sandwich and soup franchise offering handcrafted sandwiches, slow-simmered soups, salads, and bakery items, serving lunch crowds and families, and known for wholesome ingredients, comforting recipes, and neighborhood hospitality.
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Lennys Grill & Subs is a fast-casual franchise offering grilled sandwiches, subs, salads, and soups, serving lunch and dinner crowds, and known for freshly prepared items, quality ingredients, and strong local presence.
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Cheesy Street Grill is a fast-casual franchise offering grilled cheese sandwiches, comfort foods, and quick-service menu options, serving lunch and dinner diners, and known for inventive cheese creations, approachable pricing, and brand personality.
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Crepe Delicious is a café franchise offering sweet and savory crepes, waffles, smoothies, and coffee, serving breakfast and lunch customers, and known for fresh ingredients, customizable menu, and café experience in retail venues.
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Deli Delicious is a quick-service sandwich franchise serving premium, freshly prepared sandwiches and sides, emphasizing quality ingredients, efficient service, and strong local market appeal.
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Blimpie is a sandwich shop franchise known as “America’s Sub Shop,” offering handcrafted subs, salads, and wraps in traditional and express formats, supported by established brand recognition and operational guidance.
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