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Steak n Shake by Biglari

Steak n Shake by Biglari

The total investment to open a Steak n Shake by Biglari franchise ranges from $316,000 to $2.7M. The initial franchise fee is $25,000. Ongoing royalties are 5% plus a 1% advertising fee.

What is the Steak n Shake by Biglari franchise?

Steak N Shake By Biglari operates in the Limited Service Restaurants category and has 20 total units. The concept is part of an established American dining category built around speed, convenience, and familiar meals. Its Loan Activity Score is 53 within the PeerSense independent franchise intelligence framework. With a modest unit count, the brand has room to expand its operating footprint while serving customers who value accessible dining and traditional menu offerings. Its appeal centers on a familiar restaurant experience that can support repeat visits in a fast moving limited service setting.

The global limited service restaurant market was estimated at USD 871.02 billion in 2025. It is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7% and reach approximately USD 1,436 billion by 2034. In the United States, the limited service restaurant sector was valued at an estimated USD 97.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.45%, reaching USD 133.71 billion by 2030. The Quick Service Restaurant market is expected to reach $330.56 billion in 2025, up from $311.54 billion in the preceding year. A projected compound annual growth rate of 7.2% would bring that market to $436.07 billion by 2029. Consumers continue to seek speed, convenience, and value as busy lifestyles influence dining decisions. Mobile ordering and delivery are also changing how customers interact with restaurants. Approximately 65% of Quick Service Restaurant visitors use mobile order ahead applications, and nearly 90% of people ages 18 to 24 engage with them. Delivery sales in the limited service sector increased by over 20% in the past year, creating an additional sales channel for brands such as Steak N Shake By Biglari.

Specific total investment figures for Steak N Shake By Biglari are not publicly detailed in the available information. A prospective owner should still account for the main categories of a limited service restaurant investment. In the Quick Service Restaurant industry, the initial franchise fee generally ranges from $6,250 to $90,000. Across industries, upfront franchise fees frequently range from $20,000 to $100,000+. Other startup costs can include real estate acquisition or leasehold improvements, site development, construction, specialized kitchen equipment, and dining area furnishings. The opening budget may also include initial inventory, operating capital for early expenses, and initial marketing campaigns. Continuing obligations commonly include royalty fees. For quick service restaurants, these fees often range from 4% to 8% of gross sales and are paid monthly to the franchisor for access to the brand, operating systems, and support. A marketing fee in the Quick Service Restaurant sector generally ranges from 1% to 5% of gross sales and supports national and regional advertising. A buyer should review the Franchise Disclosure Document to confirm the brand's exact charges, required liquid capital, net worth requirements, and other investment obligations before making a decision.

Franchises in the Limited Service Restaurant category generally use training and operating support to promote consistency across locations. A franchisor typically trains new owners and management teams in daily operations, customer service, and brand standards. Training can address food preparation, inventory management, point of sale systems, and local marketing. For a Steak N Shake By Biglari location, a new owner would expect guidance on product quality, kitchen flow, and the brand's customer experience. Before opening, support commonly covers site selection, visibility, customer traffic, and lease negotiations. It may also include restaurant layout and design, permits and licenses, relationships with approved vendors, supply chain procedures, and initial marketing before opening day. After opening, support may include operational guidance, menu or service protocol updates, access to a support team for troubleshooting, and continuing supply chain management. These services are intended to give owners the information and resources needed to operate the restaurant while maintaining consistent quality and controlling costs.

When included, the information must be supported and may be based on the historical performance of franchise or company owned units, or on reasonable assumptions about potential results. The financial model must account for the cost of goods sold, labor, rent and occupancy, utilities, local marketing, insurance, royalty fees, and marketing fees paid to the franchisor. Sales performance and control of these expenses will affect the final return. Without brand specific disclosures, a buyer should complete due diligence and consult financial advisors while comparing the opportunity with relevant industry benchmarks.

Steak N Shake By Biglari currently operates 20 total units within a growing Limited Service Restaurant market. Industry projections point to a global limited service restaurant market of USD 1,436 billion by 2034 and a United States Quick Service Restaurant market of $436.07 billion by 2029. Those figures indicate room for additional development, although they do not predict the results of any individual unit. Brands in this category can benefit from consumer familiarity and the ability to adjust to changing dining preferences. Potential competitive factors for Steak N Shake By Biglari include established brand recognition, standardized operating procedures, supply chain management, and the ability to control costs across locations. Mobile ordering is used by approximately 65% of Quick Service Restaurant visitors, while delivery sales in the limited service sector have grown by over 20% in the past year. Using these channels may help a brand respond to customer preferences. Training, marketing assistance, and operating guidance from the franchisor can also affect a franchisee's ability to compete. The brand's Loan Activity Score of 53 provides an independent comparison point within the PeerSense framework. Expansion into metropolitan and suburban markets could allow Steak N Shake By Biglari to reach customers seeking convenient dining and extend its presence in the Limited Service Restaurant segment.

A prospective franchisee for Steak N Shake By Biglari should generally bring an entrepreneurial approach, operational judgment, and a strong customer service focus. The brand's specific requirements are set out in its Franchise Disclosure Document. In this sector, useful experience may include retail or hospitality management, leadership, staff supervision, and responsibility for daily operations. Previous business ownership or management experience outside restaurants may also transfer well when paired with commitment to the brand's operating standards. Financial stability is required to meet liquid capital and net worth requirements, fund the initial investment, and maintain working capital during the early operating period. A focus on consistent quality, sustainable growth, and local marketing can also support the operation. Limited Service Restaurants typically seek sites with high visibility, convenient access, and substantial pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Potential locations include urban centers and downtown districts, shopping malls and lifestyle centers, college campuses, and suburban communities with strong demographics and demand for convenient meals. A typical compact footprint for these establishments ranges from 1,200 to 1,800 square feet. Site selection is intended to expand customer reach and support the long term operation of each unit.

Steak N Shake By Biglari is an option for buyers evaluating the Limited Service Restaurant sector. The market is projected to reach USD 1,436 billion globally by 2034, while the United States Quick Service Restaurant segment is projected to reach $436.07 billion by 2029. The brand has 20 total units and operates in a category supported by demand for convenient meals, value, and technology such as mobile ordering. A buyer should review the Franchise Disclosure Document for the brand's financial obligations, support structure, territory considerations, and operating requirements. PeerSense provides independent franchise intelligence for this evaluation and introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders, but PeerSense is not a lender.

Loan Activity Score

53/100

SBA Default Rate

0.0%

Active Lenders

18

According to its Franchise Disclosure Document or public business records, Steak n Shake by Biglari has 20 locations, all owned by franchisees. Public SBA loan records show 18 lenders made 24 loans to franchisees of Steak n Shake by Biglari. PeerSense calculates Steak n Shake by Biglari's score as 53 out of 100, using public SBA loan performance and recent lending activity. Cost figures are based on the 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document.

Franchising since 1934 · 20 locations

Investment

$316,000 to $2.7M

Franchise Fee

$25,000

Total Units

20

20 franchised

Loan Activity Score
High
53
SBA Lending
25
Lender Quality
9
Transparency
8
Reach
7
Momentum
4

Proprietary PeerSense metric

Moderate
Capital Sources
18SBA lenders

Distinct lenders in public SBA records for Steak n Shake by Biglari

24

Total SBA loans

$1.1M

Average loan size

Source: public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records through December 31, 2025

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SBA Lending Activity for Steak n Shake by Biglari

Loan Activity Score Breakdown

Growing (10 to 24 loans)

High Confidence
53out of 100
Moderate
Market Momentum4/35

Are lenders increasingly or decreasingly funding this brand? Growing trends score highest.

Loan Safety25/25

Blended default rate (recent + all time) compared to NAICS sector peers.

Lender Confidence9/15

Quality lenders actively backing this brand, with penalty for lender pullback.

Transparency8/15

FDD availability, Item 19 disclosure, and overall data completeness.

Footprint7/10

Geographic spread of SBA funded locations across states.

SBA Lending Performance

SBA Default Rate

0.0%

vs 10.3% peer avg

SBA Loans

24

Total Volume

$27.6M

Active Lenders

18

2 selective

States

11

vs. SBA Sector Average

+10.3%lower default rate

SBA loan default rate vs. all franchises in the same NAICS sector, not limited to direct competitors

Key Highlights

Low SBA default rate (0.0%)

Data Insights

Key performance metrics for Steak n Shake by Biglari based on SBA lending data

SBA Default Rate

0.0%

10.3% below peer avg

SBA Loan Volume

24 loans

Across 18 lenders

Lender Diversity

18 lenders

Avg 1.3 loans per lender

Investment Tier

Premium investment

$316,000 to $2,695,000 total

Steak n Shake by Biglari: Deep SBA Data

Brand specific metrics derived directly from SBA 7(a) approval records: peak lending year, leading state, average loan size, and lender concentration. PeerSense computes these per brand so capital advisors and prospective franchisees can benchmark this opportunity against the rest of the franchise universe.

Peak SBA Year

2018

7 approvals. The best year on record for Steak n Shake by Biglari.

Top SBA State

Pennsylvania

4 SBA financed Steak n Shake by Biglari locations, the densest operator footprint.

Average Loan Size

$1.1M

Median $835K. Use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own Steak n Shake by Biglari unit.

Lender Concentration

25%

Moderately Spread

Share of Steak n Shake by Biglari approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.

Steak n Shake by Biglari's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2018 (7 approvals). The last five fiscal years account for 29% of cumulative volume ($7.5M approved). Operator density is highest in Pennsylvania with 4 SBA financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $1.1M, with the median at $835K. Lender mix is moderately spread: the top three SBA lenders account for 25% of approvals. Meaningful choice exists, but specific lenders carry the brand.

Payment Estimator

Loan Amount$253K
Interest Rate9.5%
Term (Years)10 yr

Estimated Monthly Payment

$3,271

Principal & Interest only

Indicative only, as of October 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense sources the file. The lender sets pricing. What these terms mean.

Locations

Steak n Shake by Biglari, unit breakdown

Total Units
N/A
Franchisee Owned
n/a
System Owned
n/a
Closed
n/a

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1 FDD Available for Steak n Shake by Biglari

Review franchise fees, investment ranges, royalties, Item 19 financial data, and year over year trends. Request complimentary access through your PeerSense funding advisor.

Steak n Shake by Biglari

Page Review

Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense

  • PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
  • Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
  • He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
  • His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
  • In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page

Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman