Steak and Ale franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Steak and Ale franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,055,800 to $3,668,550, with about $340,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Steak and Ale FDD.
What are the Steak and Ale franchise fees and investment?
The Steak and Ale franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $1,055,800 to $3,668,550. 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) | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,055,800 to $3,668,550 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $340,000 |
| US locations | Not reported |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Full-Service) |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Franchising since | 2013 |
How does the Steak and Ale investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Steak and Ale's minimum investment of $1,055,800 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 117 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Steak and Ale belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Steak and Ale FDD?
Verify six parts of the Steak and Ale 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 Steak and Ale 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 Steak and Ale?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Steak and Ale:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer Boys | $35,000 to $45,000 | $1,056,000 to $2,520,000 |
| The Toasted Yolk Cafe | $50,000 | $1,058,000 to $1,721,700 |
| KFC Traditional | $45,000 | $1,052,825 to $3,771,550 |
| The Boiling Crab | $39,500 | $1,063,500 to $3,793,500 |
| Bar Louie | $50,000 | $1,064,500 to $3,949,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Steak and Ale franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Steak and Ale franchise ranges from $1,055,800 to $3,668,550, including a franchise fee of $35,000, 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 Steak and Ale franchise?
Steak and Ale lists a minimum of about $340,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Steak and Ale locations are there?
A current US unit count for Steak and Ale is not reported in our data. Item 20 of the FDD lists the number of franchised and company-owned outlets.
How long has Steak and Ale been franchising?
Steak and Ale started offering franchises in 2013 after the company was founded in 1966.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Steak and Ale and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Steak and Ale. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.