Dunkin Donuts vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Dunkin Donuts is a full-service restaurants franchise, while Wendy's operates in quick-service restaurants. Dunkin Donuts requires an investment of $532K – $1.8M while Wendy's requires $1.6M – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Wendy's reports higher average unit revenue at $2.0M. On SBA loan performance, Wendy's has a lower charge-off rate (0.8%) compared to Dunkin Donuts (7.5%). FranchiseVerdict rates Dunkin Donuts A (Strongest tier) and Wendy's A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Dunkin Donuts | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $532K – $1.8M | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.9% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 7.5% (1341 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 8,780 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1955 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$532K – $1.8M
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$40K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.9%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
7.5% (1341 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
8,780
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1955
1971
FDD Year
2026
2026