Circle K vs Papa John's Pizza
Franchise Comparison 2026
Circle K is a retail franchise, while Papa John's Pizza operates in full-service restaurants. Circle K requires an investment of $1.5M – $2.7M while Papa John's Pizza requires $281K – $890K. In terms of revenue, Circle K reports higher average unit revenue at $1.4M. On SBA loan performance, Circle K has a lower charge-off rate (6.7%) compared to Papa John's Pizza (19.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates Circle K A (Strongest tier) and Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Circle K | Papa John's Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $2.7M | $281K – $890K |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 3.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $1.1MIncl. company outlets |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 6.7% (80 loans) | 19.6% (190 loans) |
| Total Units | 6,063 | 3,294 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1995 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $2.7M
$281K – $890K
Franchise Fee
$25K
$25K
Royalty Rate
3.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate
6.7% (80 loans)
19.6% (190 loans)
Total Units
6,063
3,294
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1995
2021
FDD Year
2024
2026