AcrelecAcrelec
Mandatoryare required to purchase the NCR Aloha Point of Sale software and hardware through NCR (terminals, kitchen screens, bump bars, back-office server, printers, payment devices), the Acrelec Kiosk solutio
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Steak n Shake Enterprises
Full service restaurantSteak n Shake Enterprises franchises 266 of its 406 US restaurants from an Indiana HQ under Biglari Holdings, and mandates the NCR Aloha point-of-sale system through NCR, the Acrelec Kiosk solution through Acrelec, and a Cash Machine through Glory. Franchised outlets fell 8.904% year over year, and Item 19 discloses a $1,815,588 average across 59 Traditional and 155 Franchise Partner restaurants open at least 24 months. With Chairman and CEO Sardar Biglari at the top and a 5.0% royalty, Steak n Shake's three-vendor POS-and-kiosk mandate is a concrete lever for a vendor selling adjacent hardware or software.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
406
266 franchised
Unit growth YoY
-8.904%
vs prior filing
AUV
$1.82M
Item 19, 2024
Royalty
5%
of gross sales
Ad fund
1%
national + local
Initial fee
$25K
per unit
Investment range
$1.21M–$2.70M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
6%of gross sales (FY2025)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
3 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
NCRNCR Voyix
MandatoryRequired Technology we require. A list of the current Required Technology is included below. You are required to purchase the NCR Aloha Point of Sale software and hardware through NCR (terminals, kitc
NCR AlohaNCR Voyix
Mandatoryse and use all of (and only) the computer systems and Required Technology we require. A list of the current Required Technology is included below. You are required to purchase the NCR Aloha Point of S
FacebookMeta
d/or sign. You acknowledge that you are strictly prohibited from: i) promoting your Restaurant and/or using the Marks on any social or networking website or application, including Facebook, LinkedIn,
GloryGlory
nd hardware through NCR (terminals, kitchen screens, bump bars, back-office server, printers, payment devices), the Acrelec Kiosk solution through Acrelec and Cash Machine through Glory. (See Item 7,
InstagramMeta
wledge that you are strictly prohibited from: i) promoting your Restaurant and/or using the Marks on any social or networking website or application, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok an
LinkedInLinkedIn
You acknowledge that you are strictly prohibited from: i) promoting your Restaurant and/or using the Marks on any social or networking website or application, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram,
TikTokTikTok
you are strictly prohibited from: i) promoting your Restaurant and/or using the Marks on any social or networking website or application, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, o
TwitterX
rictly prohibited from: i) promoting your Restaurant and/or using the Marks on any social or networking website or application, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, or any simi
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
29 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 4 explicit no's; 1 question the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee must utilize at its sole cost and expense the bookkeeping service (the "Service Provider") designated by Franchisor to provide certain accounting and bookkeeping services
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We have the right to independently access all information you collect or compile at any time without first notifying you.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Within thirty (30) days of the end of each month Franchisee shall prepare and submit to Franchisor a profit and loss statement for the Restaurant for the immediately preceding month.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
Currently, we require that you purchase the following goods and services exclusively from us: required point-of-sale software (including but not limited to food cost management, supply management and labor management systems), custom point of sale integration services, and proprietary retail products such as canned…
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 11
We reserve the right to become the supplier of additional hardware, software, technology or support services in the future and charge additional fees for such services.
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
535904Item 8
In FY24, we and our affiliates received rebates as a result of required purchases by traditional franchisees from designated suppliers in the amount of $535,904.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We and our affiliates reserve the right to and do receive rebates and payments from distributors and/or suppliers on account of such purchases by franchisees and use the amounts received for any purpose we deem appropriate.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
95Item 8
The estimated proportion of required purchases, purchases from approved suppliers and purchases in accordance with our specifications to all purchases in establishing the Restaurant business is ninety- five percent (95%), and in the operation of the franchised Restaurant business is ninety-five percent (95%).
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
We may charge you a reasonable inspection and supervision fee to cover the costs we incur in determining whether such items meet our approval.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you propose to use any brands, types, or models of fixtures, furnishings, equipment, services, signs, food products, materials and supplies or suppliers which we have not previously approved, or to purchase any items from a supplier that we have not approved, you must submit a written request to us for approval of…
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall cease to use and shall destroy or return to the Franchisor all copies of the Manual and all other manuals, instructions or materials delivered to it hereunder and shall relinquish its Steak n Shake By Biglari Restaurant telephone number and web address and assign such telephone number and web address…
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must take steps necessary to comply with the “Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard” (“PCI DSS”), must validate compliance with the PCI DSS annually and subject your point of sale network to quarterly vulnerability scans.
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesItem 11
We require you to use our designated guest response system, which allows guests to contact us with their feedback and give them the option of speaking to a live customer service representative.
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesItem 11
We may, at our discretion, send representatives to your Restaurant to consult with you about optimizing your Restaurant operations, and we will inspect the premises and review your operation of the Restaurant (either in-person or through the use of surveillance or other technology) to determine the efficiency and…
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 1
We have the right to change the Manual and the elements of the System.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesFranchise agreement
The Franchisee shall not proceed with development of the Steak n Shake By Biglari Restaurant on a proposed location until a letter of acceptance for the location is issued by the Franchisor.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
The Franchise Agreement provides that you may not establish a website, nor may you offer, promote, or sell any products or services, or make any use of Marks, through the Internet without our prior written approval, which we do not have to provide.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor requires Franchisee to offer and participate in certain digital and delivery initiatives including without limitation, online/mobile ordering, loyalty programs, third party delivery services and certain digital menu management platforms.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesItem 8
You may only use a food and restaurant supply distributor that we approve in advance in our sole discretion provided such distributor agrees to distribute our approved products.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You are required to use only those suppliers, manufacturers, vendors and distributors we have approved (collectively “suppliers”).
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall make arrangements with only suppliers or sponsors approved by Franchisor of such credit cards, check verification services or electronic funds transfer systems, or other similar services as the Franchisor may designate from time to time in order that the Restaurant may accept customers’ credit and…
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesItem 6
The Franchise Agreement and License Agreement require weekly payment by electronic funds transfer (“EFT”) whereby we automatically withdraw the payments from your bank account.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 11
You will be required to participate in programs, the use of applications and similar technologies that are used to support digital engagement and order capabilities that impact the overall brand experience for our guests.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 11
We require that you hire and train a minimum number of managers based on our guidelines set forth below.
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall purchase and use uniforms for its employees that conform strictly to the specifications, design and style of the Franchisor existing from time to time, as required in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must purchase and use all of (and only) the computer systems and Required Technology we require.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We have the right to independently access all information you collect or compile at any time without first notifying you.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
We do not charge any additional fee for this training, but you must pay the
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
(N) Franchisee must attend, at his expense, all annual and other meetings and conference calls of franchisees that Franchisor determines are mandatory for all franchisees, or 33 groups of franchisees (as designated by Franchisor), such as franchisees within a particular geographic region.
The filing answers no to 4 questions
- Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 20
- Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?Item 7
- Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?Franchise agreement
- Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11
The vendor opportunity at Steak n Shake Steak n Shake runs 406 units, 266 of them franchised, though franchised outlets fell 8.904% year over year. Item 19 discloses a $1,815,588 average across 59 Traditional Franchise Restaurants and 155 Franchise Partner Restaurants open at least 24 consecutive months. A 5.0% royalty and 10-year initial term sit inside Biglari Holdings' broader portfolio.
Who controls software purchasing Chairman and CEO Sardar Biglari, Chief Administrative Officer Steven L. May, Chief Global Development Officer Kristen Briede, CFO Arpit Bhoti, and Franchise System CFO Adrian Saide lead Steak n Shake from Indiana HQ. With three point-of-sale vendors already mandated system-wide - NCR, Acrelec and Glory - and only 73 mapped operators, 10 of them multi-unit, HQ's Manual and required-technology list, not individual operators, sets the purchasing agenda.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required The NCR Aloha point-of-sale software and hardware is mandated through NCR, the Acrelec Kiosk solution is mandated through Acrelec, and a Cash Machine is required through Glory. Franchisees also must use an approved network maintenance provider for PCI compliance and buy required point-of-sale software for food cost, supply and labor management, plus proprietary retail products like canned chili, seasoning and pepper sauce, from the company. Each restaurant must also install the designated video surveillance system and take part in the Steak n Shake mobile app and online ordering. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok are named elsewhere in Item 11.
Procurement, renewals, and timing Item 8 runs an approved-supplier list at roughly 95% of total purchases: required point-of-sale software, custom POS integration services, and proprietary retail products must come from the company, and franchisees may propose an alternative supplier for approval on other items. Franchisees in good standing can renew under the standard then-current franchise term, or two additional 5-year options.
How to read the Steak n Shake FDD The embedded PDF viewer below carries Steak n Shake Enterprises' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document in full. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list of franchise systems like this one.
Questions vendors ask
Steak n Shake Enterprises, answered from the filing
Chairman and CEO Sardar Biglari leads Steak n Shake's Indiana HQ, which already mandates NCR, Acrelec and Glory system-wide for POS, kiosk and cash-handling hardware - with only 73 mapped operators, HQ's required-technology list is where a vendor pitch belongs.
The NCR Aloha point-of-sale software and hardware is mandated through NCR, the Acrelec Kiosk solution is mandated through Acrelec, and a Cash Machine is required through Glory. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok are named elsewhere in Item 11.
Steak n Shake runs 406 units nationwide, 266 of them franchised, with 73 mapped operators concentrated in MO, FL, GA, IL and KY, inside the Biglari Holdings portfolio.
Steak n Shake runs an approved-supplier list at roughly 95% of total purchases: required point-of-sale software, custom POS integration services, and proprietary retail products like canned chili and seasoning must come from the company, though franchisees may propose alternative suppliers for other items.
Franchisees in good standing can renew under the standard then-current franchise term or two additional 5-year options - each renewal point is a natural moment to revisit the NCR, Acrelec and Glory mandate as new terms and technology standards are set.
The embedded PDF viewer below carries Steak n Shake Enterprises' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document in full - use it to confirm the NCR, Acrelec and Glory mandates referenced above.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
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We’ll email you the moment Steak n Shake Enterprises files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
73 operators run 90 mapped locations. 10 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit63
2–9 units10
Top states by locations
| MO | 18 |
|---|---|
| FL | 18 |
| GA | 8 |
| IL | 6 |
| KY | 6 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind Steak n Shake Enterprises
strategic_multibrand of Biglari Holdings.
Related Full service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.