Charleys Philly Steaks has grown from a single Ohio State University campus stand into what the brand now calls the worlds largest cheesesteak franchise, with nearly 890 locations operating globally. For entrepreneurs drawn to fast-casual food service, this is one of the few sandwich concepts with nearly four decades of brand recognition behind it.
Franchise · Food & Restaurant
Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise
America's largest cheesesteak franchise, serving fast-casual Philly steaks since 1986.
$24,500
franchise fee
USD 202k – 936kk
investment
How much does a Charleys Philly Steaks franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
$24,500
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
$202,059 – $935,700
Locations worldwide
890
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Founded
- 1986
- Locations
- 890
- Type of business
- Fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Philly cheesesteaks
Fact sheet
The right questions before you start
How the Charleys cheesesteak format works
Founded in 1986 by Charley Shin near the Ohio State University campus, the concept centers on Philly-style cheesesteaks made with 100% USDA choice steak, hand-cut fresh ingredients, seasoned fries, and made-from-scratch lemonades. The brand began franchising in 1991 and has since evolved from its original 450-square-foot storefront into multiple restaurant formats, including traditional standalone units and shopping mall food court locations, giving franchisees flexibility depending on their target market and available capital.
Why operators are choosing Charleys over other sandwich concepts
Charleys points to more than 35 years of refined operating systems as a way to reduce the guesswork new restaurant owners typically face. The brand has publicly stated long-term development ambitions, historically citing a goal of reaching 3,000 locations, with much of its annual growth coming from existing franchisees reinvesting in additional units. That kind of repeat investment from insiders is often read as a signal of system profitability and franchisor support quality.
Who Charleys is looking for in a franchise partner
Charleys has not published a detailed public list of minimum net worth or liquidity requirements outside of its Franchise Disclosure Document, so prospective candidates should request the FDD directly for exact qualification thresholds. Generally, the brand seeks operators who are comfortable managing a fast-casual, high-volume food service environment, whether in a mall food court or a standalone restaurant, and who are prepared to follow an established operational system rather than build a concept from scratch.
What it costs to open a Charleys location
According to the franchisors own disclosures, the initial franchise fee is $24,500. Total initial investment ranges widely depending on format and location, from roughly $202,059 up to $935,700, reflecting the difference between smaller food-court footprints and larger standalone restaurants. Charleys has not made its exact royalty percentage or marketing fund contribution publicly available in the sources reviewed, so candidates should confirm these figures directly with the franchisor before proceeding. Detailed minimum liquid capital and net worth requirements are similarly disclosed only within the official FDD.
Key facts about the Charleys franchise system
- Founded: 1986, franchising since 1991
- Locations worldwide: nearly 890, described by the brand as the largest cheesesteak franchise globally
- Franchise fee: $24,500
- Total investment range: approximately $202,059 to $935,700
- Training: initial training at Charleys University in Columbus, Ohio, plus on-site opening support and ongoing assistance
- Format flexibility: standalone restaurants and shopping mall food court units
If a proven, decades-old sandwich concept with global scale and multiple format options sounds like the right next step, reach out to request more information and start a conversation about franchise availability in your market.
How much does it cost to open a Charleys Philly Steaks franchise?
According to the franchisors published figures, the initial franchise fee is $24,500, while total investment ranges from about $202,059 to $935,700 depending on the restaurant format, such as a mall food court unit versus a standalone location. Exact liquidity and net worth requirements are not publicly listed and should be confirmed directly with the franchisor through the official disclosure document.
What is the Charleys Philly Steaks franchise business model?
Charleys operates as a fast-casual restaurant concept built around Philly-style cheesesteaks made with USDA choice steak, hand-cut ingredients, fries, and lemonades. Founded in 1986 and franchising since 1991, the brand offers multiple formats including traditional standalone restaurants and shopping mall food court locations, giving franchisees flexibility based on market and budget.
What are the requirements to become a Charleys franchisee?
Publicly available sources do not specify exact minimum net worth or liquid capital requirements; these details are typically outlined in the official Franchise Disclosure Document. Generally, candidates should be prepared to operate a high-volume, fast-casual food service business and follow the brands established operating systems rather than requesting detailed qualification criteria upfront.
What training and support does Charleys provide to new franchisees?
Charleys offers initial training at its Charleys University facility in Columbus, Ohio, followed by on-site support during the restaurant opening and ongoing operational assistance afterward. The franchisor also supports franchisees with national and local marketing initiatives designed to build brand awareness and drive customer traffic to individual locations.
How many Charleys Philly Steaks locations are there worldwide?
As of the franchisors most recent public statements, Charleys operates nearly 890 locations worldwide, a figure the brand uses to describe itself as the largest cheesesteak franchise globally. A precise breakdown of U.S.-only locations versus international units, or company-owned versus franchised restaurants, was not available in verified official sources.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
- Charleys official site — Our Story (2024)
- Charleys official blog — Why You Should Become a Charleys Franchise Owner (2025)
- Charleys Franchise — Franchise Cost (2024)
- Charleys Franchise — How to Start a Cheesesteak Business (2025)
- Charleys Franchise — official site (2014)
- Wikipedia — Charleys Cheesesteaks
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Charleys Philly Steaks
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Charleys Philly Steaks
Investment $202,059 to $935,700