Charleys Philly Steaks franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Charleys Philly Steaks franchise fee is $24,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $203,736 to $694,249, with about $65,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Charleys Philly Steaks FDD.
What are the Charleys Philly Steaks franchise fees and investment?
The Charleys Philly Steaks franchise requires a franchise fee of $24,500 and a total initial investment of $203,736 to $694,249. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $24,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $203,736 to $694,249 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $65,000 |
| US locations | 813 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Quick Service) |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Franchising since | 1990 |
How does the Charleys Philly Steaks investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Charleys Philly Steaks's minimum investment of $203,736 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 824 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $24,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Charleys Philly Steaks belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Charleys Philly Steaks FDD?
Verify six parts of the Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Charleys Philly Steaks discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Charleys Philly Steaks?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Charleys Philly Steaks:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| GELATO-GO | $35,000 to $45,000 | $203,500 to $444,100 |
| Pizza Schmizza | $39,000 | $203,500 to $532,250 |
| Parlay Cafe | $30,000 | $202,950 to $459,200 |
| I Love Juice Bar | $25,000 | $202,860 to $372,805 |
| Slices | $30,000 | $202,700 to $435,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Charleys Philly Steaks franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Charleys Philly Steaks franchise ranges from $203,736 to $694,249, including a franchise fee of $24,500, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Charleys Philly Steaks franchise?
Charleys Philly Steaks lists a minimum of about $65,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Charleys Philly Steaks locations are there?
Charleys Philly Steaks reported 813 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Charleys Philly Steaks been franchising?
Charleys Philly Steaks started offering franchises in 1990 after the company was founded in 1986.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Charleys Philly Steaks and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Charleys Philly Steaks. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.