CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A new flavor is coming to town as Charleys Cheesesteaks plans to open a restaurant in Circleville in 2026. The new location will be built on South Court Street, on the site of the former Sonic Drive-In, which closed in 2025.
Charleys, known for its signature slogan “the number one cheesesteak in the world,” will construct a new building on the property rather than reusing the old Sonic structure.
Founded in 1986 near The Ohio State University by Charley Shin, the restaurant chain has grown into the largest cheesesteak franchise in the world, with hundreds of locations across the U.S. and internationally.
The menu centers on Philly-style cheesesteaks, gourmet fries, and real-fruit lemonades, with some locations also offering wings, fried appetizers, and milkshakes.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Charleys continues to expand across the region — and the upcoming Circleville restaurant will become one of the newest stops for local cheesesteak fans. The closest existing location is currently in Chillicothe.
Charleys’ mission is to deliver great customer experiences with quality, made-to-order food — something Circleville residents can look forward to next year.
