Circle K vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Circle K is a retail franchise, while Wendy's operates in quick-service restaurants. Circle K requires an investment of $1.5M – $2.7M while Wendy's requires $410K – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Wendy's reports higher average unit revenue at $2.1M. On SBA loan performance, Wendy's has a lower charge-off rate (0.8%) compared to Circle K (8.3%). FranchiseVerdict rates Circle K B (Above Average) and Wendy's A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Circle K | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | ATop QuintileTop Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $2.7M | $410K – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 3.0% | 4-6% of Gross Sales depending on restaurant type and development program (4% traditional/Groundbreaker, 5% Pacesetter, 6% military/Build-to-Suit) |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $2.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 8.3% (45 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 6,063 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1995 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $2.7M
$410K – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$50K
Royalty Rate
3.0%
4-6% of Gross Sales depending on restaurant type and development program (4% traditional/Groundbreaker, 5% Pacesetter, 6% military/Build-to-Suit)
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$2.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
8.3% (45 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
6,063
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1995
1971
FDD Year
2024
2026