Great Steak Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Great Steak is a cheesesteak sandwich franchise that serves classic Philly cheesesteaks and other grilled sandwich options, offering a satisfying and flavorful dining experience with quality ingredients and authentic flavors.

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.

Initial investment

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:

Type of Restaurant Initial Investment
Non-Traditional Great Steak Restaurant $153,500 – $443,800
Traditional Great Steak Restaurant $172,900 – $662,850

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).

Traditional Great Steak franchise

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$14,000 – $30,000
Lease Review Fee$0 – $2,500
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months)$12,000 – $20,000
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training$2,500 – $5,000
Architectural Fees$15,000 – $25,000
Leasehold Improvements$45,000 – $294,000
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Interior Signage and Menu Panels$45,000 – $200,550
Exterior Signage$10,000 – $17,000
Computer Hardware, Software (POS System)$3,000 – $10,000
PCI Compliance Costs$150 – $1,300
Opening Inventory (food and paper)$2,500 – $7,000
Business Insurance$1,000 – $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs$4,750 – $17,500
Grand Opening Marketing$10,000
Depository Account$3,000
Additional Funds – 3 month initial period$5,000 – $15,000
TOTAL$172,900 – $662,850

Great Steak offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Restaurant Initial Investment
Non-Traditional Great Steak Restaurant $153,500 – $443,800
Traditional Great Steak Restaurant $172,900 – $662,850

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).

Traditional Great Steak franchise

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$14,000 – $30,000
Lease Review Fee$0 – $2,500
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months)$12,000 – $20,000
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training$2,500 – $5,000
Architectural Fees$15,000 – $25,000
Leasehold Improvements$45,000 – $294,000
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Interior Signage and Menu Panels$45,000 – $200,550
Exterior Signage$10,000 – $17,000
Computer Hardware, Software (POS System)$3,000 – $10,000
PCI Compliance Costs$150 – $1,300
Opening Inventory (food and paper)$2,500 – $7,000
Business Insurance$1,000 – $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs$4,750 – $17,500
Grand Opening Marketing$10,000
Depository Account$3,000
Additional Funds – 3 month initial period$5,000 – $15,000
TOTAL$172,900 – $662,850

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

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.

Territory Protection

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.

Competitors

Below are some of

Great Steak

key competitors in the

Sandwich

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

24

New
+
-8%
-8%

$30,000

$154,000

$663,000

n.a.

$465,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Sub-Ology

Sub-Ology is a sandwich-and-fast-casual franchise offering premium subs, wraps, salads and soups made with Boar’s Head meats and locally baked bread, serving lunch and dinner diners, and known for gourmet ingredients and community-oriented atmosphere.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$285,000 - $443,000

Miller's Famous Sandwiches

Miller’s Famous Sandwiches is a fast-casual franchise offering toasted sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch crowds and grab-and-go customers, and known for iconic brand history, streamlined operations and community-friendly service.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$336,000 - $691,000

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is a fast-casual sandwich franchise offering grilled subs, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch and dinner crowds, and known for flame-roasted flavour, fresh ingredients and community-based franchise experience.

Franchisees

?

22
+
-12%
-12%
Investment

?

$411,000 - $737,000

Submarina California Subs

Submarina California Subs is a submarine-sandwich franchise offering crafted subs with fresh, quality ingredients, serving take-out and delivery customers, and known for California-style flavor, strong franchise support, and award-winning menu.

Franchisees

?

10
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$183,000 - $370,000

Erik's Delicafe

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.

Franchisees

?

26
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$199,000 - $407,000

Lennys Grill & Subs

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.

Franchisees

?

58
+
4%
4%
Investment

?

$283,000 - $577,000