Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Great Steak Franchise

Great Steak is a quick-service cheesesteak franchise founded in 1982, built around a single core product: the classic American cheesesteak, made to order from fresh ingredients cooked on a griddle in front of the customer. Operating under the trademark “America’s Premier Cheesesteak,” the brand offers a menu of classic and innovative preparations that appeals to longtime fans and newcomers to the sandwich alike.

The brand operates two formats. The food court counter model is designed for shopping malls and high-traffic retail centers, where the open cooking setup creates a visible, theatrical experience for passing customers. The in-line restaurant model brings Great Steak to neighborhood and street-level locations with a small footprint, limited staff, and low overhead. Both formats are built for straightforward daily operations that do not require prior food-service experience.

Great Steak is backed by Kahala Brands, part of MTY Food Group, one of the largest franchise restaurant operators in North America. Franchisees draw on that parent-company infrastructure for back-office systems, national purchasing programs, and operational support that an independent operator would have to build from scratch.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Great Steak resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Great Steak Franchise?

The case for buying a Great Steak franchise rests on a brand with genuine category focus in a segment with built-in demand. Cheesesteaks have a devoted consumer following that actively seeks out authentic versions and returns regularly, giving well-run units a stable base of repeat customers. Great Steak’s focused menu and made-to-order cooking style provide a point of difference in food courts and neighborhood locations where generic fast food competes on price alone.

The operating model supports accessible ownership: compact space, a small team, simple inventory, and a product whose quality depends on execution rather than complex preparation. Franchisees benefit from Kahala Brands’ national purchasing contracts and back-office systems for payroll and inventory management. MTY Food Group’s scale provides infrastructure and operational expertise that individual operators would not have independently.

Great Steak Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1982

    • Franchising Since

      1986

    • New Startup Cost

      $257,900 – $678,850

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $30,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $7,500

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of weekly Gross Sales or $400/week min

    • Marketing Fee

      1%

      of weekly Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      23

    • New Units Opened *

      0

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $533,269

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Great Steak – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Franchisees receive 40 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training before opening. Kahala Brands covers food preparation, kitchen operations, hygiene and safety, back-office systems for payroll and inventory, employee management, and customer service. Training is adapted to each owner's prior experience, with additional focus on kitchen or back-office functions as the owner's background requires. Ongoing support includes business reviews tied to financial and performance goals. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and system access the franchisor provides to incoming owners.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Great Steak suits operators comfortable managing a small team in a high-traffic, customer-facing environment. Prior restaurant experience is not required, though candidates with QSR or retail management backgrounds will adapt quickly. The role is operations-led: day-to-day focus falls on food quality, staff scheduling, and customer service. For in-line operators, building a local customer base matters; food court owners benefit from high mall traffic and productive relationships with mall management. Comfort with basic staffing and inventory management is more important than any food-specific background.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Great Steak has appeared on the Franchise Times Top 200+ list, the publication's annual ranking of best-bet franchise investments across industry segments. The brand's backing by Kahala Brands and MTY Food Group provides institutional credibility within the broader QSR franchise community. The consumer-facing brand supports a loyalty rewards program and online ordering at participating locations. For resale buyers, the brand's 40-plus-year track record and franchise-industry recognition provide useful context alongside unit-level reputation and local customer reviews.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US fast food and quick-service restaurant market was valued at approximately $254 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at around 3.4% annually, according to Grand View Research. Sandwiches are among the most frequently ordered QSR categories, driven by convenience, affordability, and strong consumer loyalty to familiar formats. The cheesesteak has gained wider national visibility in recent years as major chains add versions to their menus, benefiting established cheesesteak specialists. For resale buyers, location quality and mall or retail center traffic are key factors in unit performance.

Learn more about
how to own a Great Steak franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.