Big John Steak & Onion
Big John Steak & Onion is a privately held, Flint, Michigan-based quick-service restaurant chain operating 15 Mid-Michigan locations since 1972, serving made-to-order grilled ribeye steak subs and other sandwiches to local individual consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersBurton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Big John Steak & Onion does
Big John Steak & Onion is a privately held quick-service restaurant chain headquartered in Davison, Michigan, operating 15 brick-and-mortar locations across Mid-Michigan communities including Flint (6 locations), Burton, Clio, Davison, Grand Blanc, Lansing, Owosso, and Saginaw. Founded in 1972 by John E. Klobucar, the chain specializes in made-to-order grilled steak and onion subs built around 100% thinly sliced ribeye steak piled on fresh-baked Italian Sub Rolls, with an open-kitchen concept that allows customers to watch food being grilled. The core menu centers on the Original Steak & Onion Sub, with extension to Philly Chicken, Ham & Cheese, Turkey, Spicy Italian, salads, and a proprietary Bottled Red Sauce that has been a signature item for over 40 years.
Big John Steak & Onion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big John Steak & Onion
- Legal name
- Big John Steak & Onion
- Website
- https://bigjohnsteakandonion.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big John Steak & Onion is a privately held, Flint, Michigan-based quick-service restaurant chain operating 15 Mid-Michigan locations since 1972, serving made-to-order grilled ribeye steak subs and other sandwiches to local individual consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big John Steak & Onion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fast-Casual Restaurant
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sandwiches & Subs QSR (THAFAAAD)
Keywords
Where Big John Steak & Onion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices14 records
Markets served
Big John Steak & Onion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Food and Beverage Sales: Revenue generated from on-site food sales at 15 restaurant locations across Mid-Michigan. Customers purchase made-to-order steak sandwiches, subs, and other menu items at individual restaurant locations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Big John Steak & Onion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big John Steak & Onion operates a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in grilled steak and onion submarine sandwiches made with 100% thinly sliced ribeye steak on fresh baked Italian Sub Rolls. The made-to-order menu includes the signature Original Steak & Onion Sub, Philly Chicken, Ham & Cheese, Turkey, and Spicy Italian subs, plus Ultimate Salads and a proprietary bottled Red Sauce sold both in-store and for off-premise use.
Product overview
Big John Steak & Onion is a Flint, Michigan restaurant chain founded in 1972 by John E. Klobucar, currently operating 15 locations across Mid-Michigan. The company specializes in grilled steak and onion subs made with 100% thinly sliced ribeye steak, complemented by a variety of other sub sandwiches including chicken, ham, turkey, and Italian deli options. The product portfolio includes core offerings (Original Steak & Onion Sub, Philly Chicken Sub, Ham & Cheese Sub, Turkey Sub, Spicy Italian Sub), a proprietary bottled condiment (Bottled Red Sauce with 40+ year history), and side offerings (Ultimate Salads), all served on fresh baked Italian Sub Rolls.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Original Steak & Onion Sub
- Philly Chicken Sub
- Ham & Cheese Sub
- Turkey Sub
- Spicy Italian Sub
- Bottled Red Sauce
Companies that use Big John Steak & Onion
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Big John Steak & Onion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Big John Steak & Onion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Big John Steak & Onion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Subway: Largest global sub chain with broad menu including steak options. Overlaps on sub category and QSR service but operates as a broad, scale-driven incumbent rather than a regional specialist.
- Wendy's: Large national QSR chain offering a steak sandwich on its menu. Relevant incumbent comp for steak-protein positioning within a broader QSR portfolio.
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop: National toasted-sub chain with a fast-casual dining experience. Comparable on sub category and counter-service model, with broader menu and urban footprint.
Direct peers
- Firehouse Subs: Sub sandwich chain serving hot, made-to-order subs including steak options. Competes directly for lunch/dinner sub occasions in shared markets.
- Steak 'n Shake: Steak-focused quick-service/burger chain. Directly comparable to Big John on the steak-protein positioning and QSR service model, though with a broader burger-centric menu.
- Penn Station East Coast Subs: Midwest-based sub chain known for its grilled steak sub and made-to-order format. Highly comparable operating model and product mix to Big John.
- Charley's Philly Steaks: Counter-service chain specializing in Philly-style steak sandwiches. Closest direct competitor on product format, made-to-order preparation, and QSR/sub positioning.
- Jimmy John's: National sub sandwich chain with strong delivery and digital ordering infrastructure. Comparable on sub category, counter service, and franchise-based scaling.
- Jersey Mike's Subs: National made-to-order sub chain with a comparable counter-service, fresh-ingredient positioning. Competes for the same made-to-order sub occasion.
Emerging players
- Which Wich: Customizable sandwich chain with a made-to-order model. Comparable on sub category and customer experience, though primarily franchise-driven and younger as a brand.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Big John Steak & Onion social profiles
Digital presenceBig John Steak & Onion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big John Steak & Onion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Big John Steak & Onion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big John Steak & Onion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big John Steak & Onion
What does Big John Steak & Onion do?
Big John Steak & Onion operates a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in grilled steak and onion submarine sandwiches made with 100% thinly sliced ribeye steak on fresh baked Italian Sub Rolls. The made-to-order menu includes the signature Original Steak & Onion Sub, Philly Chicken, Ham & Cheese, Turkey, and Spicy Italian subs, plus Ultimate Salads and a proprietary bottled Red Sauce sold both in-store and for off-premise use.
Is Big John Steak & Onion a public or private company?
Big John Steak & Onion is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Big John Steak & Onion founded?
Big John Steak & Onion was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big John Steak & Onion based?
Big John Steak & Onion is headquartered in Burton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Big John Steak & Onion make money?
One revenue line is on record: food and Beverage Sales.
Who are Big John Steak & Onion's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Subway, Wendy's and Potbelly Sandwich Shop. Direct peers are Firehouse Subs, Steak 'n Shake, Penn Station East Coast Subs, Charley's Philly Steaks, Jimmy John's and Jersey Mike's Subs. Which Wich is listed as an emerging player.
Does Big John Steak & Onion have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big John Steak & Onion.
What industry is Big John Steak & Onion in?
Big John Steak & Onion's product category is Fast-Casual Restaurant. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAAAD, Sandwiches & Subs QSR. Its NAICS code is 722513.