Chick-fil-A vs Panera Bread
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread are quick-service restaurants franchises. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $586K – $3.4M while Panera Bread requires $1.3M – $4.7M. In terms of revenue, Chick-fil-A reports higher average unit revenue at $9.3M. FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Strongest tier) and Panera Bread A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Panera Bread |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $586K – $3.4M | $1.3M – $4.7M |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $35K |
| Royalty Rate | 10.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3M | $2.6M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | Limited data |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 2,206 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1992 | 1993 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$586K – $3.4M
$1.3M – $4.7M
Franchise Fee
$10K
$35K
Royalty Rate
10.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3M
$2.6M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
Limited data
Total Units
2,684
2,206
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1992
1993
FDD Year
2025
2025