Steak 'n Shake

Steak 'n Shake Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Classic American burger and milkshake restaurant franchise, known for its steakburgers, hand-dipped milkshakes, and diner-style atmosphere.

Steak 'n Shake, established in 1934 by A.H. "Gus" Belt in Normal, Illinois, is a renowned American restaurant chain celebrated for its premium steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes.

The company is currently headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since its inception, Steak 'n Shake has expanded its presence across the United States and internationally, offering a unique blend of fast-food convenience and classic diner ambiance.

The franchise began its expansion in 1939, allowing entrepreneurs to operate their own Steak 'n Shake restaurants under the brand's established name and business model.

The menu primarily features steakburgers made from a blend of T-bone, sirloin, and round steaks, along with a variety of milkshakes, fries, and other classic American fare.

What sets Steak 'n Shake apart from its competitors is its commitment to quality and transparency. The founder's original practice of grinding steaks into burgers in front of customers exemplified this dedication, ensuring patrons of the product's authenticity and freshness.

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.

Steak ‘n Shake offers 3 types of franchises:

Format Initial Investment Range
Non-Traditional $316,000 to $715,000
In-line Quick Service Format $454,000 to $1,364,000
Freestanding Quick Service Format $1,207,909 to $2,695,052

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Steak ‘n Shake Freestanding Quick Service Format franchise. For more information on the costs required to start a Steak ‘n Shake franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Franchise Fee $25,000
Construction Management / Fee $0 to $35,000
Site Improvements $90,000 to $482,074
Building or Leasehold Improvements $612,359 to $1,342,341
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, & Signage $394,550 to $576,342
Pre-Opening Expenses $5,000 to $10,000
Additional Funds for three (3) months $15,000 to $20,000
Inventory and Supplies for Opening $10,000 to $15,000
Training Expenses (travel, meals & lodging) $16,000 to $55,000
Architectural, Civil Engineering & Other Professional Fees & Permits $35,000 to $88,050
Impact and Tap Fees $5,000 to $11,245
Grand Opening Marketing Expenses $0 to $25,000
Extension Fee $0 to $10,000
TOTAL $1,207,909 to $2,695,052

Steak ‘n Shake offers 3 types of franchises:

Format Initial Investment Range
Non-Traditional $316,000 to $715,000
In-line Quick Service Format $454,000 to $1,364,000
Freestanding Quick Service Format $1,207,909 to $2,695,052

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Steak ‘n Shake Freestanding Quick Service Format franchise. For more information on the costs required to start a Steak ‘n Shake franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Franchise Fee $25,000
Construction Management / Fee $0 to $35,000
Site Improvements $90,000 to $482,074
Building or Leasehold Improvements $612,359 to $1,342,341
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, & Signage $394,550 to $576,342
Pre-Opening Expenses $5,000 to $10,000
Additional Funds for three (3) months $15,000 to $20,000
Inventory and Supplies for Opening $10,000 to $15,000
Training Expenses (travel, meals & lodging) $16,000 to $55,000
Architectural, Civil Engineering & Other Professional Fees & Permits $35,000 to $88,050
Impact and Tap Fees $5,000 to $11,245
Grand Opening Marketing Expenses $0 to $25,000
Extension Fee $0 to $10,000
TOTAL $1,207,909 to $2,695,052

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

Steak 'n Shake

key competitors in the

Burger

sector.

Started franchising
Franchisees

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Franchise fee

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Royalty fee

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Investment

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Revenue (AUV)

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Gross Profit

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EBITDA

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Home-based

?

Passive investment

?

FDD
Steak 'n Shake
2005
266
+
-13%
-13%
$25,000
5.00%

$316,000

-

$2,695,000

n.a.

$1,729,000

Upgrade

70.5%

n.a.

Upgrade

20.0%

n.a.

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2016
2
+
0%
0%
$40,000
5.00%

$484,000

-

$802,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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No
Upgrade
No
No
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No
19
+
375%
375%
$35,000
6.00%

$1,298,000

-

$1,994,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,697,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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Upgrade
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2013
3
+
0%
0%
$50,000
4.00%

$1,223,000

-

$3,308,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,440,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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Upgrade
2024
2
+
100%
100%
$40,000
5.00%

$1,635,000

-

$4,888,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$4,337,000

71.3%

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
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2022
2
+
n.a.
n.a.
$40,000
6.00%

$559,000

-

$3,168,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2015
24
+
0%
0%
$35,000
6.00%

$183,000

-

$482,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$805,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade

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Priority support

?

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Training

Steak 'n Shake provides a comprehensive, multi-week training program for its Franchise Partners, ensuring they are well-prepared to operate their restaurants effectively.

This extensive training encompasses various aspects of restaurant management, including day-to-day operations, customer service excellence, and quality control measures.

The program is designed to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge to uphold the brand's standards and deliver a consistent dining experience to customers.

In addition to the initial training, Steak 'n Shake offers ongoing support to its franchisees. This includes field-based operations assistance, administrative services such as payroll and accounting, and creative marketing support.

Territory Protection

Steak 'n Shake offers territory protection to its franchisees, particularly those engaged in multi-unit development plans. For these franchisees, the company establishes a development agreement that outlines specific territories and schedules for franchise openings.

This ensures franchisees can operate within an exclusive area, reducing the risk of internal competition. This approach helps maintain the profitability and sustainability of each location by avoiding market saturation.

Territorial rights are essential for preserving brand integrity while fostering a supportive environment for franchisees. This protection strengthens the relationship between the franchisor and its partners, promoting long-term business success.

Number of units

2025
Franchised units

306

292

266

Company-owned units

173

144

140

Total units

479

436

406

Competitors

Burger Village

Franchisees

?

2
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$484,000 - $802,000

Smalls Sliders

Franchisees

?

19
+
375%
375%
Investment

?

$1,298,000 - $1,994,000

JL Beers

Franchisees

?

3
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$1,223,000 - $3,308,000

Jollibee

Franchisees

?

2
+
100%
100%
Investment

?

$1,635,000 - $4,888,000

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