Established
1986
Franchise Units
90
Minimum Investment
$350,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$700,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Steak-Out franchise represents a distinctive niche within the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant (QSR) segment in the United States. Known for its freshly prepared, charbroiled steak sandwiches, burgers, chicken, salads, and signature sauces, Steak-Out has built a loyal following by delivering restaurant-quality meals with the speed and convenience today’s consumers expect.
What truly sets Steak-Out apart is its delivery-first business model. Long before third-party delivery platforms became mainstream, Steak-Out established itself as a dependable, high-volume delivery concept. This early positioning has proven to be a major competitive advantage in a market where off-premise dining continues to grow year after year.
The brand appeals to a wide demographic base, including families, students, professionals, and late-night diners. Steak-Out is strategically positioned between traditional fast food and casual dining, offering generous portions, made-to-order meals, and consistent quality at accessible price points. For franchise investors, this translates into repeat customers, predictable demand, and a business model designed for long-term relevance.
Background
Established Year: Steak-Out was founded in 1986 in Alabama, USA.
Founder: The brand was founded by Russell Cunningham, who set out to create a delivery-focused steak sandwich restaurant capable of serving fresh, hot meals faster than traditional dine-in establishments.
Brand Journey and Company History:
Steak-Out began as a single local restaurant and quickly gained popularity due to its unique delivery-driven concept and flavorful, charbroiled menu. As customer demand increased, the brand expanded throughout Alabama and surrounding states. Over time, Steak-Out refined its systems, standardized operations, and introduced franchising to support controlled expansion while maintaining brand consistency.
Ownership and Market Presence:
Today, Steak-Out operates a combination of franchised and company-owned locations across the United States, with a strong presence in the Southeastern region. Expansion efforts are focused on markets with high delivery demand, favorable demographics, and strong unit-level economics.
Industry Category:
Fast-Casual / Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) with a strong emphasis on delivery and takeout.
Support Training
Steak-Out provides structured franchise support to help owners launch and operate successful locations.
Pre-Launch Support:
Franchisees receive assistance with site evaluation, restaurant layout planning, equipment selection, and vendor coordination. Guidance is provided to ensure each location is optimized for both in-store efficiency and delivery volume.
Training and Operational Support:
Initial training covers food preparation, kitchen operations, inventory control, labor management, customer service standards, and daily store operations. Training includes hands-on experience designed to prepare franchisees and management teams for real-world operations.
Marketing Support:
Franchisees gain access to brand-approved marketing assets, local store marketing strategies, and guidance for digital promotions and delivery platform visibility. The focus is on driving early awareness and sustained customer traffic.
Ongoing Support:
After opening, franchise owners receive continued operational guidance, performance evaluations, menu updates, and business coaching to support long-term growth and profitability.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Steak-Out franchisee is an owner-operator or semi-absentee investor with a strong interest in food service operations. Previous restaurant or hospitality experience is helpful but not required. More important is the ability to follow systems, manage teams, and maintain high customer service standards.
Successful franchisees are typically disciplined operators who understand cost controls, local marketing, and staff leadership. A hands-on mindset, commitment to brand standards, and passion for delivering consistent food quality are key attributes for success.
From an investment perspective, franchisees should have sufficient liquidity to cover startup costs, working capital, and early operational expenses. Ideal locations include suburban markets, college towns, and high-density delivery zones where off-premise dining demand is strong.
Financial Detail
| Financial Parameter | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $350,000 – $700,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | $150,000 (liquid capital) |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Franchise Active Units | 90+ Units (USA) |
| Initial Setup & Infrastructure Cost | $200,000 – $400,000 |
| Equipment & Kitchen Setup | $100,000 – $200,000 |
| Initial Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Working Capital Requirement | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Royalty Fee | Percentage of Gross Sales |
| Advertising / Marketing Fee | As required by franchisor |
| Expected Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 Months |
| Estimated ROI | Medium to High (location dependent) |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-In, Takeout, In-House Delivery, Third-Party Delivery |
