Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar vs Denny's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Denny's are full-service restaurants franchises. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar requires an investment of $2.4M – $7.1M while Denny's requires $1.6M – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar reports higher average unit revenue at $2.8M. Denny's has SBA lending data on file with a 7.5% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar A (Top Quintile) and Denny's A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | Denny's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | ATop QuintileTop Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $2.4M – $7.1M | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $30K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 4.5% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.8M | $1.9M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | N/A | 7.5% (283 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,545 | 1,334 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2014 | 1963 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$2.4M – $7.1M
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$35K
$30K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
4.5%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.8M
$1.9M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
N/A
7.5% (283 loans)
Total Units
1,545
1,334
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2014
1963
FDD Year
2024
2025