Dairy Queen vs El Pollo Loco
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Dairy Queen and El Pollo Loco are quick-service restaurants franchises. Dairy Queen requires an investment of $623K – $2.8M while El Pollo Loco requires $794K – $2.7M. In terms of revenue, El Pollo Loco reports higher average unit revenue at $2.2M. On SBA loan performance, El Pollo Loco has a lower charge-off rate (6.5%) compared to Dairy Queen (10.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates Dairy Queen B (Above average) and El Pollo Loco A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Dairy Queen | El Pollo Loco |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove averageAbove average | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $623K – $2.8M | $794K – $2.7M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $40K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.6MOutlet subset | $2.2M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 10.6% (1242 loans) | 6.5% (61 loans) |
| Total Units | 74 | 503 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1947 | 1980 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$623K – $2.8M
$794K – $2.7M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$40K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.6MOutlet subset
$2.2M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
10.6% (1242 loans)
6.5% (61 loans)
Total Units
74
503
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1947
1980
FDD Year
2025
2026