With over 850 locations, Charleys is one of the fastest growing restaurants in the world. Together, we serve thousands of people a year—bringing delicious cheesesteaks to the masses!
Becoming a Charleys franchisee opens the door to many exciting and life-changing opportunities. Not only do you get to manage your own restaurant, but you also get all the benefits of being a part of the Charleys family.
Why should you jump on and franchise with Charleys Cheesesteaks?
- We’re on track to surpass 900 stores within the next few years
- Consecutive years of store sales increases
- 2 million+ members in our loyalty program with continuous growth
- Highly unique product that stands out amongst QSR and Fast Casual brands
- Over 35-year track record of helping entrepreneurs thrive in business
- The absolute demand for new locations continues to grow
Is owning a Charleys franchise right for you? Read below to learn more about our brand and see if you’d be a good fit!
History of Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings
While a student at The Ohio State University (OSU) in 1985, Charleys Cheesesteaks founder and CEO, Charley Shin, tasted the first cheesesteak that would spark the beginning of the Charleys empire that we know and love today. An instant favorite of Charley’s, he knew he had to share the deliciousness of the cheesesteak with the world—but with his unique twist and flair that would keep happy customers coming back for more. After countless taste tests, experiments, and finally arriving at the perfect signature Charleys experience – Charley turned his cheesesteak dreams into reality in 1986 when he opened his first restaurant near OSU’s campus called Charley’s Steakery. Only spanning 450 square feet, Charley’s dreams started small— but soon his cheesesteaks became a viral sensation among the surrounding college students craving fresh-made Philly Cheesesteaks, beautifully loaded Gourmet Fries and all-natural fruit-flavored lemonades.
As the customers (and rave reviews) continued to roll in, Charley decided to get to work on a national growth plan. Starting in 1991, Charleys began franchising with like-minded partners looking to share cheesesteak love with the world. Changing the name to Charleys Cheesesteaks in 2002, Charleys puts emphasis on the “grilled-right-in-front-of-you” transparency– tasty, mouthwatering, fresh food that you can SEE. Now, you can try our delicious cheesesteaks, fries and real-fruit lemonades at over 850 of our conveniently located Charleys Cheesesteak locations. In addition to our classic menu, select locations serve classic and boneless wings, savory and delicious fried appetizers and refreshing frozen milkshakes. Share the cheesesteaks you love with your family or coworkers with our Charley Catering services.
Over the last 30 years—we’ve changed names, we’ve added locations—but we’ve stayed true to the Charleys Cheesesteak mission. Like how we started, we stay committed to quality, fresh ingredients and customer satisfaction.
How much does a Charleys franchise cost?
Charleys Philly Steaks is proud to be one of the most affordable franchise opportunities in the QSR industry. The total cost to invest in a Charleys Philly Steaks franchise ranges from $202,059 – $935,700. With incredible brand recognition, low operating costs and a streamlined business model– Charleys Philly Steaks is able to maximize return on investment for franchise owners.
- Initial Investment Range: $202,059 – $935,700
- Franchise Fee: First unit is $24,500 ($15,000 for each additional unit)
- Net-worth requirement: $500,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $175,000
- Financing: Third-party
How do you become a Charleys franchisee?
If you’re ready to get the ball rolling, fill out the form on this page or call 866-987-0973 to express your interest in opening a Charleys franchise.
How will Charleys help you with your franchise?
Charleys is committed to helping entrepreneurs thrive! Franchising with Charleys means that you will never be alone in business. Since our founding in 1985, Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings has been passionate about entrepreneurship. And in the 35+ years since we first opened our doors, we’ve helped dozens and dozens of entrepreneurs realize their full potential as business owners.
This is why we’ve made significant investments in training, support and technology to ensure that our franchise owners have all the resources they need to run thriving, growing businesses. Our track record speaks for itself. Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings has been experiencing record breaking expansion, and over half of that growth coming from existing franchisees reinvesting into the brand.
Real-estate support: Choosing the right location is absolutely critical to ensuring that your new Charleys Philly Steaks location has the potential to thrive over the long term. This is why you don’t do it alone. Our real-estate team will guide you through the process of site selection and help oversee the buildout process to ensure you stay on track for your grand opening celebration.
In-person training: You will visit Charleys Philly Steaks franchise location for three weeks where you learn every aspect of the business model. You will learn how to prepare our cheesesteaks to perfection, how to manage inventory, how to use our POS system, how to interact with customers, lead a team, and much, much more.
Marketing support: One of the best parts about franchising with a brand like Charleys Philly Steaks is the fact that we offer cutting-edge marketing support. We provide you with a comprehensive marketing plan, including materials, to effectively engage with your customers. One of the ways that we effectively market to your guests is through our loyalty program, which has experienced a tremendous increase in new users over the last several years.
Menu innovation: While Charleys Philly Steaks has an iconic menu that millions of people love, we’re always looking for ways to innovate and generate excitement amongst our cult-like following. This is why we roll out several LTOs a year. We always remain on the cutting edge of trends and seek out exciting flavor profiles to appeal to our guests.
Ongoing support: Charleys Philly Steaks offers comprehensive ongoing training & support. From field visits to your location, to ongoing marketing support and professional development, we provide all the support you need to develop into the entrepreneur you know you can be.
How much does it cost to be a Charleys Franchise owner?
Going into business for yourself is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever have to make – but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Charleys Philly Steaks is committed to helping as many entrepreneurs thrive in business as possible by keeping the barriers to entry low. In fact, Charleys Philly Steaks is one of the most affordable business opportunities in the booming QSR segment. The total cost to invest in a franchise ranges from $202,059 – $935,700.
Do you have additional questions about becoming a Charleys franchisee? Call us at 866-987-0973 or fill out this form to learn more.
