A Partnership Built Around American Veterans

A new partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Steak ’n Shake waives a $10,000 franchise fee for veterans, opening a real path from service to small business ownership.

Story Snapshot

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Steak ’n Shake signed a memorandum of understanding to help veterans become franchise owners.
Steak ’n Shake will waive its usual $10,000 Franchise Partner Program fee for eligible veterans who become owner‑operators.
Veteran franchise partners can earn 50% of restaurant profits and are guaranteed at least $100,000 in first‑year pay under the program.
The agreement is part of a broader Trump‑era push for public‑private partnerships that grow veteran entrepreneurship instead of government dependency.

VA–Steak ’n Shake Deal Turns Veterans into Business Owners

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Steak ’n Shake have signed a formal memorandum of understanding that links veteran services with a clear road into franchise ownership. Under this agreement, the national restaurant chain will waive the standard $10,000 fee required to enter its Franchise Partner Program for veterans who step up as owner‑operators. This move shifts focus from government checks to business opportunity, letting veterans build wealth and jobs in their own communities instead of relying only on federal aid.

Steak ’n Shake’s Franchise Partner Program is built around a low upfront cost and shared profits, and the veteran deal removes the remaining barrier that many face. The company normally markets the program as a $10,000 total investment that grants rights to operate a Steak ’n Shake restaurant, with partners earning 50 percent of net profits and having “unlimited earning potential.” By waiving that $10,000 franchise fee for veterans, the program becomes far more reachable for men and women leaving the service who may not have deep savings but do have work ethic and leadership.

What the Franchise Program Actually Offers Veterans

Details shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Steak ’n Shake show that veteran franchise partners are not just getting a fee waiver; they are stepping into a profit‑sharing model with clear income promises. Once a veteran completes the company’s training and is running a location, Steak ’n Shake states that the partner keeps half of the restaurant’s profits and is guaranteed a minimum of $100,000 in pay in the first year. For many veterans, especially those frustrated by rising costs and weak job markets under past policies, that kind of stable income tied to individual effort is a welcome change.

Reports from local outlets describe the announcement as a nationwide commitment, not just a one‑city pilot, with Department of Veterans Affairs leaders and conservative lawmakers present at the rollout. Coverage notes statements from Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins praising the partnership as a way to connect veterans with both care and economic opportunity, using the restaurant chain’s platform to promote benefits they have earned. The combination of fee relief, income potential, and outreach lines up with Trump‑era priorities that favor work, ownership, and private‑sector solutions instead of more bureaucracy.

Partnerships, Opportunity, and the Need for Transparency

This agreement fits into a broader pattern where the Department of Veterans Affairs teams up with private companies to help veterans move into business and skilled work. In 2024, for example, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs signed an agreement to expand self‑employment help and training for service‑disabled veterans and active‑duty members through Veterans Business Outreach Centers, showing the same push toward entrepreneurship. Department of Veterans Affairs guidance on public‑private partnerships says these deals are supposed to enhance benefits and fill service gaps, not replace core government duties.

Yesterday VA Secretary Doug Collins and Sen. Jim Banks announced that Steak 'n Shake is eliminating franchise fees for qualified Veteran franchisees, creating new opportunities for Veteran entrepreneurs. IDVA Director Jake Adams was honored to attend this exciting announcement. pic.twitter.com/JkoEAxBCrr

— Indiana Dept. of Veterans Affairs (@Veteransindiana) July 9, 2026

Conservative readers will see promise in a deal that rewards hustle and keeps government in a support role, but there are still questions that deserve straight answers. Franchise programs often have added costs beyond the headline fee, including working capital, local permits, and long hours that families must plan around, and public information on the total cost for veterans in this specific program remains limited. For this and future partnerships, clear rules on eligibility, enforcement of those income guarantees, and honest disclosure of all costs will help ensure veterans get a fair shot and not just a flashy announcement.