FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program.
Based on 2025 FDD · 2 filings in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $184K – $1.0M. Reported owner economics show $26K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $10K franchise fee · 1% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program requires a total initial investment of $184K to $1.0M (midpoint approximately $594K), with an initial franchise fee of $10K. The ongoing fee burden is 1% . This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program locations is $137K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $26K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 4.4% with a payback period of approximately 22.8 years.
Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program operates approximately 181 franchised units. However, the brand has been contracting with a 4.4% net unit decline, which may signal franchisee dissatisfaction, territory saturation, or competitive pressure.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Common questions buyers ask about Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program, answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise ranges from $184K to $1.0M, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program charges a 1% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program is $10,000.
There are approximately 181 Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise locations as of 2023.
The median revenue for a Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise is $137K, with a cash-on-cash return of 4.4%, according to FDD Item 19 data.
SBA loan default rate data for Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program is not currently available in the SBA database.
Whether a Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
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