South Philly Steaks and Fries Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
South Philly Steaks and Fries is a casual dining franchise that serves classic Philly cheesesteaks, hearty sandwiches, and crispy fries with a focus on bold and satisfying flavors.
South Philly Steaks & Fries is a fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its authentic Philly cheesesteaks and fresh-cut fries. The concept was founded in 1975 and began franchising in 2003. It operates under the umbrella of Villa Restaurant Group, a multi-brand operator and franchisor established in 1964 by Michele Scotto.
The franchise is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. Its menu features classic cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteaks, deli-style subs, baked potatoes, and fresh salads. South Philly Steaks & Fries is committed to using high-quality ingredients to deliver the true taste of South Philadelphia.
What sets South Philly Steaks & Fries apart is its dedication to authenticity and flavor. It blends nostalgic Philly street food with a contemporary fast-casual format, appealing to both longtime fans and new customers seeking bold, hearty meals.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a South Philly Steaks and Fries franchise is
$321,000 - $607,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$25,000 - $35,000
Equipment and Furnishings
$100,000 - $130,000
Signs
$9,000 - $15,000
Real Estate
As required
Building Construction
$125,000 - $300,000
Insurance
$3,000 - $6,000
Opening Inventory
$5,000 - $10,000
Utility Deposits
$2,000
Business Licenses
$1,000 - $4,000
Travel, Lodging and Meals for Initial Training
$3,000 - $5,000
Grand Opening Advertising
As required
Professional Fees
$10,000 - $25,000
Additional Funds (three months)
$25,000 - $50,000
Computer Equipment
$10,000 - $20,000
Advertising and Marketing
$3,000 - $5,000
TOTAL
$321,000 - $607,000
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$25,000 - $35,000
Equipment and Furnishings
$100,000 - $130,000
Signs
$9,000 - $15,000
Real Estate
As required
Building Construction
$125,000 - $300,000
Insurance
$3,000 - $6,000
Opening Inventory
$5,000 - $10,000
Utility Deposits
$2,000
Business Licenses
$1,000 - $4,000
Travel, Lodging and Meals for Initial Training
$3,000 - $5,000
Grand Opening Advertising
As required
Professional Fees
$10,000 - $25,000
Additional Funds (three months)
$25,000 - $50,000
Computer Equipment
$10,000 - $20,000
Advertising and Marketing
$3,000 - $5,000
TOTAL
$321,000 - $607,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is South Philly Steaks and Fries's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
South Philly Steaks and Fries had 6 total units in 2024, of which 1 were franchised-owned and 5 company-owned.
South Philly Steaks & Fries provides a structured training program to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate the restaurant efficiently. The training is part of the franchisor’s pre-opening support and ongoing operational development framework.
Initial Training Program Franchisees are required to complete a comprehensive initial training program provided by the franchisor. This includes classroom instruction and hands-on experience covering operations, food preparation, customer service, and management procedures.
Ongoing Training and Support After the initial setup, the franchisor continues to offer training updates and refresher courses as needed. This ensures that franchisees stay aligned with system standards and operational improvements.
Training Manuals and Guidelines Franchisees receive access to the Operations and Training Manual, which outlines detailed procedures and brand standards. Compliance with this manual is mandatory and forms a critical component of both the initial and ongoing training processes.
Territory Protection
South Philly Steaks & Fries does not provide exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. While the franchisor must approve the location selected by the franchisee, this approval does not prevent them from placing other franchised units in nearby locations.
The agreement specifies that the approval of a site is not a guarantee of exclusivity or protection from competition. Even though the franchisor supports site selection and may even sublease premises to the franchisee, these actions do not restrict the franchisor’s right to establish additional outlets.
This means a franchisee could potentially face competition from other South Philly locations within close proximity. Therefore, franchisees should not expect or rely on any form of territorial exclusivity as part of their franchise agreement.
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