Chick-fil-A vs Papa Johns
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chick-fil-A and Papa Johns are quick-service restaurants franchises. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $586K – $3.4M while Papa Johns requires $261K – $853K. In terms of revenue, Chick-fil-A reports higher average unit revenue at $9.3M. Papa Johns has SBA lending data on file with a 18.1% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Strongest tier) and Papa Johns A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Papa Johns |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $586K – $3.4M | $261K – $853K |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 10.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3M | $1.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 18.1% (323 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 3,291 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1992 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$586K – $3.4M
$261K – $853K
Franchise Fee
$10K
$25K
Royalty Rate
10.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3M
$1.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
18.1% (323 loans)
Total Units
2,684
3,291
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1992
2021
FDD Year
2025
2025