About Steak 'n Shake

Steak ‘n Shake is a chain of quick-serve restaurants, and its menu offerings include three premium products: steakburgers, milkshakes and fries. The burgers are made from high-quality meat and lack preservatives, hormones and antibiotics. The milkshakes are hand-dipped with real ice cream and real milk, and the fries are cooked to order from potatoes just harvested. The chain has locations in 28 states, and most U.S. states are completely or mostly available for further development.

The company uses three restaurant models. The first, classic, features a full menu and drive-through. It is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Its dining area seats 99. The second type of restaurant, in-line, has a limited menu with at least 40 seats and, when possible, a drive-through. This type is commonly in locations such as universities and malls. The third restaurant type is nontraditional. You find them in train stations, airports, casinos and the like. They share common seating areas with other establishments.

Why Steak 'n Shake?

Potential Steak ‘n Shake franchise owners have a unique opportunity. They can become franchise owners the traditional way, starting a new restaurant from scratch, or hop aboard with a low franchise fee of $10,000 for taking over a company-owned restaurant. Steak ‘n Shake has about 400 company-owned restaurants it wants to become franchisee-owned, with individual owners for each store. The hope is that a hands-on, involved approach will help the chain rebound more quickly from recent issues.

For the low $10,000 fee, franchisees have to complete a six-month training period and get 50 percent of the restaurant’s profits in the end. CEO Sandar Biglari says, “I started my company with $15,000 and built a thriving enterprise. I want to provide an opportunity to other entrepreneurs who are highly motivated to excel but lack the financial means. What will be important to become a franchisee is not great capital but great ability. We are seeking to harness the power of entrepreneurs and to create a company of owners.”

If you’d like to go the traditional way, Steak ‘n Shake touts these additional benefits: longevity, brand strength, varied franchise types, franchise support and customer value.