Is Bojangles or Panera Bread cheaper to open?

Bojangles costs $2,600,320–$3,779,700 and Panera Bread costs $1,434,566–$4,651,324 to open (FDD Item 7). Panera Bread has the lower entry cost.

Which earns more, Bojangles or Panera Bread?

Bojangles reports $2,350,216 average annual unit revenue vs $2,595,936 for Panera Bread (FDD Item 19). Panera Bread is higher. For Panera Bread: Reported as net sales, not gross sales.

Which is the better franchise, Bojangles or Panera Bread?

FranchiseVerdict grades Bojangles A and Panera Bread A, from FDD Items 5–7, 19–21 and SBA loan performance. See the full side-by-side above.

Bojangles vs Panera Bread

Franchise Comparison 2026

Both Bojangles and Panera Bread are quick-service restaurants franchises. Bojangles requires an investment of $2.6M – $3.8M while Panera Bread requires $1.4M – $4.7M. In terms of revenue, Panera Bread reports higher average unit revenue at $2.6M. Note: Reported as net sales, not gross sales. Bojangles has SBA lending data on file with a 8.0% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Bojangles A (Strongest tier) and Panera Bread A (Strongest tier).

Metric	Bojangles	Panera Bread
Verdict Grade	AStrongest tier	AStrongest tier
Investment Range	$2.6M – $3.8M	$1.4M – $4.7M
Franchise Fee	$35K	$35K
Royalty Rate	4.0%	5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)	$2.4M	$2.6M
SBA Charge-Off Rate	8.0% (26 loans)	Limited data
Total Units	813	2,206
Unit Growth (YoY)	+21 units	-8 units
Year Began Franchising	2020	1993
FDD Year	2024	2025