Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar vs Papa John's Pizza
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Papa John's Pizza are full-service restaurants franchises. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar requires an investment of $2.4M – $7.1M while Papa John's Pizza requires $281K – $890K. In terms of revenue, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar reports higher average unit revenue at $2.8M. Papa John's Pizza has SBA lending data on file with a 19.6% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar A (Strongest tier) and Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar | Papa John's Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $2.4M – $7.1M | $281K – $890K |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.8M | $1.1MIncl. company outlets |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | N/A | 19.6% (190 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,545 | 3,294 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2014 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Papa John's Pizza
AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Investment Range
$2.4M – $7.1M
$281K – $890K
Franchise Fee
$35K
$25K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.8M
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate
N/A
19.6% (190 loans)
Total Units
1,545
3,294
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2014
2021
FDD Year
2024
2026