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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.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

266
+
-13%
-13%
Franchise fee

?

$25,000
Investment

?

$316,000 - $2,695,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,729,000

+
6.4%
6.4%

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

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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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Number of units

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.

Competitors

Below are some of

Steak 'n Shake

key competitors in the

Burger

sector.

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

266

New
+
-13%
-13%

$25,000

$316,000

$2,695,000

n.a.

$1,729,000

$xxx,xxx

70.5%

xx%

n.a.

20.0%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Buns on Fire

Buns on Fire is a fast-casual concept offering burgers, sandwiches, and comfort sides, serving quick-service diners and late-night guests, and known for indulgent stacked burgers, playful branding, and convenient counter-service or food-truck style operations.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$255,000 - $462,000

Sammy's Sliders

Sammy's Sliders is a fast-casual restaurant brand offering gourmet sliders, fries, and shakes, serving burger lovers seeking smaller portions and variety, and known for customizable mini-sandwich combinations, playful branding, and efficient service suited to urban and neighborhood locations.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$328,000 - $713,000

Home Frite

Home Frite is a fast-casual franchise offering gourmet fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches and milkshakes, serving urban diners and comfort-food lovers, and known for hand-cut potatoes, signature sauces, and scalable franchise model.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$351,000 - $506,000

iniBurger

iniBurger is a burger-restaurant franchise offering gourmet burgers, shakes, and innovative sides, serving millennials and casual diners, and known for bold menu items, modern branding and strong franchisee support.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$302,000 - $686,000

Harlem Shake

Harlem Shake is a burger-and-shake chain franchise offering premium burgers, fries, shakes and craft menu items, serving families and casual diners, and known for nostalgic branding, community vibe, and scalable restaurant prototype.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$412,000 - $849,000

Good Stuff Eatery

Good Stuff Eatery is a fast-casual burger franchise offering handcrafted burgers, crispy fries and shakes, serving casual diners and burger-lovers, and known for chef-driven quality, fun branding and a mission to bring “goodness everywhere”.

Franchisees

?

5
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$633,000 - $962,000

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