Chick-fil-A vs Subway
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chick-fil-A and Subway are quick-service restaurants franchises. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $427K – $2.3M while Subway requires $239K – $537K. Chick-fil-A discloses average revenue of $9.3M; Subway makes no financial performance representation in its Item 19, which is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule. Note: Reported for a subset of outlets rather than the whole system. Subway has SBA lending data on file with a 6.8% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Strongest tier) and Subway A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Subway |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tier | AStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $427K – $2.3M | $239K – $537K |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $15K |
| Royalty Rate | 15.0% | 8.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3MOutlet subset | N/ANo Item 19 representation |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 6.8% (6096 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 19,502 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | +135 units | -631 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 1992 | 1974 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$427K – $2.3M
$239K – $537K
Franchise Fee
$10K
$15K
Royalty Rate
15.0%
8.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3MOutlet subset
N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
6.8% (6096 loans)
Total Units
2,684
19,502
Unit Growth (YoY)
+135 units
-631 units
Year Began Franchising
1992
1974
FDD Year
2025
2025