Established
1986
Franchise Units
700
Minimum Investment
$200,000
Franchise Fee
$24,500
Total Investment Range
$1,004,447
Home Based
No
Description
Founded in 1986 in Columbus, Ohio, Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings has grown into a globally recognized quick-service restaurant brand with locations across the U.S. and internationally.
Known for made-to-order cheesesteaks, classic and boneless wings, gourmet fries, and real fruit lemonades, Charleys offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to join an established restaurant system with decades of operating experience, broad consumer awareness, and a flexible restaurant model designed for continued growth.
Originally built in high-traffic mall food courts, Charleys has expanded into strip centers, free-standing restaurants, airports, military bases, and other non-traditional locations. This versatility allows franchisees to pursue opportunities across a wide range of markets and real estate formats.
Charleys offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow with an established QSR brand that continues to evolve beyond its traditional mall roots.
With flexible restaurant formats, a recognizable menu, comprehensive franchise support, and opportunities for multi-unit development, Charleys is focused on partnering with qualified operators who want to build businesses in both established and emerging markets.
Brand built nationally. Loyalty built locally.
Background
Charleys combines the strength of an established national brand with a straightforward operating model and a menu built around highly recognizable, craveable products.
Key differentiators include:
- Nearly four decades of operating experience
- A nationally recognized cheesesteak brand with a growing wings business
- Flexible footprints including mall, strip center, free-standing, and non-traditional locations
- Made-to-order menu focused on cheesesteaks, wings, fries, and lemonades
- Systems designed to support both first-time franchisees and experienced multi-unit operators
- Strong digital ordering capabilities and an established loyalty program
- Opportunity for multi-unit development in select markets
Support Training
Charleys provides franchisees with support throughout the development and operating process, including:
- 3 week initial restaurant and operational training at our headquarters
- Site-selection and real estate guidance
- Restaurant development and opening support
- Operational systems and procedures
- Marketing tools and promotional programs
- Digital ordering and sales platforms
- Loyalty and customer engagement programs
- Ongoing field and operational support
- Brand standards, purchasing resources, and supplier relationships
The objective is to provide franchisees with an established system while helping operators execute successfully within their local markets.
Ideal Candidate
Charleys seeks franchisees who are financially qualified, growth-oriented, engaged in their businesses, and committed to operating within an established franchise system.
Strong candidates may include experienced restaurant operators, multi-unit franchisees, business owners, investors with operating partners, and entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong leadership, financial discipline, and a willingness to follow brand standards.
Restaurant experience can be beneficial but is not necessarily required for every candidate.
Development opportunities are available in select markets throughout the United States.
Charleys is particularly interested in qualified operators seeking:
- Multi-unit development opportunities
- Strip-center and free-standing restaurant development
- Expansion in underserved and developing trade areas
- Non-traditional opportunities, including airports and other high-traffic venues
Territory availability is subject to existing restaurants, development agreements, market strategy, and franchisor approval.
Financial Detail
Franchise Fee and Estimated Investment
- Initial Investment Range: $202,690 - $1,004,447
- Franchise Fee: First unit is $24,500 ($15,000 for each additional unit)
- Net-worth requirement: $650,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $200,000
- Financing: Third-party
Royalty and Marketing Fees
- Royalty 6%
- Marketing 1%