Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar vs Firehouse Subs
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Firehouse Subs are full-service restaurants franchises. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar requires an investment of $2.4M – $7.1M while Firehouse Subs requires $405K – $1.6M. In terms of revenue, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar reports higher average unit revenue at $2.8M. Firehouse Subs has SBA lending data on file with a 11.1% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar A (Strongest tier) and Firehouse Subs A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | Firehouse Subs |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $2.4M – $7.1M | $405K – $1.6M |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $20K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 6.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.8M | $974KOutlet subset |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | N/A | 11.1% (638 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,545 | 1,291 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2014 | 2004 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Firehouse Subs
AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Investment Range
$2.4M – $7.1M
$405K – $1.6M
Franchise Fee
$35K
$20K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
6.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.8M
$974KOutlet subset
SBA Charge-Off Rate
N/A
11.1% (638 loans)
Total Units
1,545
1,291
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2014
2004
FDD Year
2024
2026