South Philly Steaks & Fries

South Philly Steaks & Fries is a quick-service restaurant brand known for its Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, loaded fries, and classic American sandwiches. The company was founded in 1986 by a team determined to bring the authentic flavors of South Philadelphia to a wider audience, starting with a single location. Over the decades, the brand expanded through franchising and established a presence in food courts, malls, and select street-front sites, reaching more than 30 stores by 2015.

As of November 2025, South Philly Steaks & Fries operates 12 locations, with a footprint concentrated in high-traffic retail centers and major airports. This current scale reflects a strategic repositioning in recent years, including the closure of underperforming stores and a deliberate shift toward non-traditional venues such as travel plazas and airport terminals. Since 2020, the brand has prioritized markets with robust retail and travel infrastructure, focusing growth efforts on the Northeast and Midwest regions, as well as prominent airports and busy shopping malls.

South Philly Steaks & Fries is part of Villa Restaurant Group, which owns and manages several quick-service concepts. The brand benefits from Villa’s expertise in site selection and operational support, allowing it to maintain consistency and flexibility across diverse environments. Its menu is built around customizable cheesesteaks and hand-cut fries, appealing to a broad range of customers.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, South Philly Steaks & Fries offers a proven format that adapts well to food courts, airports, and other high-traffic venues. The company’s measured approach to expansion, backed by a parent organization with a track record of multi-unit success, positions the brand as a reliable tenant with a focus on operational excellence and brand consistency. Store and franchise contacts remain current as of November 2025.