Steak N Shake vs Cousins Maine Lobster
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Steak N Shake and Cousins Maine Lobster are full-service restaurants franchises. Steak N Shake requires an investment of $259K – $998K while Cousins Maine Lobster requires $267K – $969K. Cousins Maine Lobster discloses average revenue of $891K; no Item 19 revenue figure is on file for Steak N Shake. Steak N Shake has SBA lending data on file with a 15.2% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Steak N Shake B (Above average) and Cousins Maine Lobster F (Weakest tier).
| Metric | Steak N Shake | Cousins Maine Lobster |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove averageAbove average | FWeakest tierWeakest tier |
| Investment Range | $259K – $998K | $267K – $969K |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $40K |
| Royalty Rate | Not a simple percentage royalty. Franchise Partner pays a "System Fee" equal to the Established Percentage (up to 15%) of monthly Gross Receipts minus equipment rental and Admin Services Fee, plus an "Additional System Fee" equal to 50% of the Restaurant's monthly Net Profit; franchisee retains a contractual Minimum Profit ($1,000/month) plus 50% of Net Profit as "Additional Profit." | The greater of 6% of Gross Sales or $3,500 per month |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | N/A | $891K |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 15.2% (38 loans) | Limited data |
| Total Units | 387 | 4 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1939 | 2017 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$259K – $998K
$267K – $969K
Franchise Fee
$10K
$40K
Royalty Rate
Not a simple percentage royalty. Franchise Partner pays a "System Fee" equal to the Established Percentage (up to 15%) of monthly Gross Receipts minus equipment rental and Admin Services Fee, plus an "Additional System Fee" equal to 50% of the Restaurant's monthly Net Profit; franchisee retains a contractual Minimum Profit ($1,000/month) plus 50% of Net Profit as "Additional Profit."
The greater of 6% of Gross Sales or $3,500 per month
Average Revenue (Item 19)
N/A
$891K
SBA Charge-Off Rate
15.2% (38 loans)
Limited data
Total Units
387
4
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1939
2017
FDD Year
2026
2025