Firehouse Subs vs Papa John's Pizza
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Firehouse Subs and Papa John's Pizza are full-service restaurants franchises. Firehouse Subs requires an investment of $405K – $1.6M while Papa John's Pizza requires $281K – $890K. In terms of revenue, Papa John's Pizza reports higher average unit revenue at $1.1M. Note: Includes company-owned outlets; Covers a partial period, not a full year. On SBA loan performance, Firehouse Subs has a lower charge-off rate (11.1%) compared to Papa John's Pizza (19.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates Firehouse Subs A (Strongest tier) and Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Firehouse Subs | Papa John's Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $405K – $1.6M | $281K – $890K |
| Franchise Fee | $20K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $974KOutlet subset | $1.1MIncl. company outlets |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 11.1% (638 loans) | 19.6% (190 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,291 | 3,294 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2004 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$405K – $1.6M
$281K – $890K
Franchise Fee
$20K
$25K
Royalty Rate
6.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$974KOutlet subset
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate
11.1% (638 loans)
19.6% (190 loans)
Total Units
1,291
3,294
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2004
2021
FDD Year
2026
2026