Quaker Steak & Lube

Quaker Steak & Lube is a casual dining restaurant chain built around automotive-themed décor and a focused menu of chicken wings, burgers, and American pub fare. The brand was founded in 1974 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, when George "Jig" Warren III and Gary "Mo" Meszaros opened the original location inside a repurposed gas station. That unconventional start reflected the founders' shared passion for classic cars and American automotive culture, which became the visual and experiential centerpiece of the concept. The original Sharon location, now a local landmark, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and remains operational today.

The restaurant's identity centers on its distinctive ambiance, featuring vintage license plates, classic cars, and gas station memorabilia throughout the dining space. The menu evolved over time from a cook-your-own steakhouse format into a full-service operation, with chicken wings becoming the signature offering. The brand has developed more than 20 proprietary wing sauces, many refined through years of experimentation at the original location. This focus on wings has earned the company over 70 national and regional awards as of 2023.

Quaker Steak & Lube experienced substantial growth during the early 2010s, expanding to nearly 60 locations across Pennsylvania and neighboring states. The chain faced financial headwinds that led to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2015, followed by acquisition by TravelCenters of America. In early 2021, JDK Management purchased the brand with the goal of stabilizing operations and positioning it for sustainable, measured growth.

As of November 2025, Quaker Steak & Lube operates approximately 28 to 42 locations across nine to ten states, with its primary footprint concentrated in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The company's current growth strategy emphasizes selective franchise development and real estate partnerships focused on high-traffic suburban and highway-adjacent sites. The brand actively seeks new franchisees and real estate partners in priority markets including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky. The company leverages flexible store formats designed to fit a range of site opportunities, particularly those with strong visibility and traffic counts. For landlords and developers, Quaker Steak & Lube represents an established operator with proven local and destination appeal, a distinctive brand identity, and a clear commitment to disciplined expansion in its core regional markets.