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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Big Al’s Steaks Franchise

Big Al’s Steaks is a quick-service restaurant brand built around the authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak. Founded in 2006 in South Florida by Alan “Big Al” Costilo and his son Adam, the concept set out to recreate the Philly steak sandwich the family grew up with, and began franchising in 2009. The brand is family- and founder-led, with Alan Costilo as CEO from its corporate base in Delray Beach, Florida.

The menu centres on cheesesteaks made from thinly sliced rib-eye steak that is never chopped, served on Italian steak rolls brought in from Philadelphia, alongside the wider sandwich-shop fare customers expect from a Philly steak shop. This sourcing and preparation is the brand’s main point of difference in a crowded sandwich category, positioning it as an authentic alternative to chopped-meat competitors.

Big Al’s Steaks runs as a territory-based, brick-and-mortar franchise with exclusive territories and a compact unit model staffed by a small team. It remains a regional, owner-led network concentrated in Florida rather than a national chain, which makes the strength of an individual location and its local following central to its appeal.

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Why buy a Big Al’s Steaks Franchise?

The case for buying a Big Al’s Steaks franchise rests on a clear, focused product: an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak in a sandwich category that has proved durable across economic cycles. The brand’s insistence on whole sliced rib-eye and rolls sourced from Philadelphia gives a resale buyer a genuine differentiator to market against the many generic cheesesteak and sub outlets in a local trade area.

The unit model is straightforward to run, with a small front-line team and an established operating system behind it, plus a veteran incentive on the franchise fee for qualifying ex-military buyers. Because the network is small and regional, an existing store with a settled location, lease and local reputation can be more attractive than starting cold, since brand awareness outside Florida is still being built.

Big Al’s Steaks Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $27,500

    • Initial Investment

      $331,150 - $546,950

    • Net Worth Requirement

      $250,000

    • Cash Requirement

      $80,000

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

  • Training & Support

    • 2-7 days on the job training

    • 8 days classroom training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

Big Al’s Steaks – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Franchisees receive 8 days of classroom training plus 2 to 7 days of on-the-job training, followed by support from operations advisors. Ongoing support covers field operations, a toll-free help line, newsletters, periodic conventions, online tools and regional advertising. Resale buyers should confirm with Big Al's Steaks what initial and transfer training is provided to incoming owners and any new staff, and what operating-system access carries over when the unit changes hands.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Big Al's Steaks suits hands-on, locally engaged operators who enjoy a fast-paced quick-service environment and direct customer contact. No prior restaurant experience is required, but owners should be comfortable managing a small front-line team, maintaining food quality and cleanliness standards, and driving local marketing to build repeat trade. Outgoing, community-minded food enthusiasts who want to be present in the store tend to fit best, though the model also permits absentee ownership where strong day-to-day management is in place.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Big Al's Steaks built its early reputation in South Florida, winning Forum Magazine's "Best Sub Shop" in 2006 for the Coconut Creek/Margate area and a "Best Philly Cheesesteak" award in 2007 across Palm Beach and Broward counties. Its standing rests largely on local recognition for authentic, Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks rather than national franchise rankings. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific unit's local reviews, referral sources and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    Big Al's Steaks operates in the US sandwich and sub restaurant segment, which IBISWorld estimates at around $46 billion in annual revenue across roughly 33,000 outlets. It is a mature, competitive category, but demand for fast, familiar, hand-held meals has stayed resilient through economic cycles. The Philadelphia cheesesteak holds steady recognition nationwide, and authenticity-led positioning can help a single location stand out locally. For resale buyers, performance depends heavily on site quality, foot traffic and local competition rather than category growth alone.

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