Denny's vs Firehouse Subs
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Denny's and Firehouse Subs are full-service restaurants franchises. Denny's requires an investment of $1.6M – $3.1M while Firehouse Subs requires $405K – $1.6M. In terms of revenue, Denny's reports higher average unit revenue at $1.9M. On SBA loan performance, Denny's has a lower charge-off rate (7.5%) compared to Firehouse Subs (11.1%). FranchiseVerdict rates Denny's A (Strongest tier) and Firehouse Subs A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Denny's | Firehouse Subs |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.6M – $3.1M | $405K – $1.6M |
| Franchise Fee | $30K | $20K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.9M | $974KOutlet subset |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 7.5% (283 loans) | 11.1% (638 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,274 | 1,291 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1994 | 2004 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.6M – $3.1M
$405K – $1.6M
Franchise Fee
$30K
$20K
Royalty Rate
4.5%
6.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.9M
$974KOutlet subset
SBA Charge-Off Rate
7.5% (283 loans)
11.1% (638 loans)
Total Units
1,274
1,291
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1994
2004
FDD Year
2025
2026