Denny's vs Papa John's Pizza
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Denny's and Papa John's Pizza are full-service restaurants franchises. Denny's requires an investment of $1.6M – $3.1M while Papa John's Pizza requires $281K – $890K. 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 Papa John's Pizza (19.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates Denny's A (Strongest tier) and Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Denny's | Papa John's Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.6M – $3.1M | $281K – $890K |
| Franchise Fee | $30K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.9M | $1.1MIncl. company outlets |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 7.5% (283 loans) | 19.6% (190 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,274 | 3,294 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1994 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.6M – $3.1M
$281K – $890K
Franchise Fee
$30K
$25K
Royalty Rate
4.5%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.9M
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate
7.5% (283 loans)
19.6% (190 loans)
Total Units
1,274
3,294
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1994
2021
FDD Year
2025
2026