Dunkin Donuts vs Sonic
Franchise Comparison 2026
Dunkin Donuts is a full-service restaurants franchise, while Sonic operates in quick-service restaurants. Dunkin Donuts requires an investment of $532K – $1.8M while Sonic requires $1.5M – $2.5M. In terms of revenue, Sonic reports higher average unit revenue at $1.6M. On SBA loan performance, Dunkin Donuts has a lower charge-off rate (7.5%) compared to Sonic (8.3%). FranchiseVerdict rates Dunkin Donuts A (Strongest tier) and Sonic A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Dunkin Donuts | Sonic |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $532K – $1.8M | $1.5M – $2.5M |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $15K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $1.6M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 7.5% (1341 loans) | 8.3% (144 loans) |
| Total Units | 8,780 | 3,412 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1955 | 1974 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$532K – $1.8M
$1.5M – $2.5M
Franchise Fee
$40K
$15K
Royalty Rate
5.9%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$1.6M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
7.5% (1341 loans)
8.3% (144 loans)
Total Units
8,780
3,412
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1955
1974
FDD Year
2026
2026