ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
QSRItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 88/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program Franchise Cost and Profit

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

FranchiseIQ Score
57
C
Moderate Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise cost and make?

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.

Startup Cost
$184K – $1.0M
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$26K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
22.8 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
No matched SBA history
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costsEstimate franchise ROICheck SBA default ratesBrowse QSR franchisesCompare similar franchises

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.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
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Total Investment Range$184K$1.0M
MinMid: $594KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$10K
Royalty Rate
1%
Ad Fund Rate
-
Total Burden
1.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
181
-8 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
-4.4%
Year over year
Net Closure Rate
4.2%
From FDD Item 20
Cash-on-Cash Return
4.4%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
22.8 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
~3–8%
Fewer than 50 loans on record
Median Revenue
$137K
Item 19 disclosed
Premium Data

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Get cash-on-cash return, payback period, SBA default rate, and red flag details for Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program.

CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program vs. QSR Average

MetricSteak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner ProgramQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate - 9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return4.4%14.2%
Total Investment$594K$380K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

Compare

Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program vs McDonald'sSteak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program vs Get Fried

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K$2.3M
McDonald's
Revenue Only
$1.5M$2.7M
Get Fried
Revenue Only
$102K$505K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
McDonald's
$1.5M – $2.7M
Get Fried
$102K – $505K
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
$422K – $1.2M

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner Program disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for Steak N Shake Enterprises INC Franchise Partner ProgramValidation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

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