Jimmy John's vs McDonald’s
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Jimmy John's and McDonald’s are quick-service restaurants franchises. Jimmy John's requires an investment of $366K – $728K while McDonald’s requires $1.5M – $2.8M. In terms of revenue, McDonald’s reports higher average unit revenue at $4.1M. On SBA loan performance, Jimmy John's has a lower charge-off rate (5.8%) compared to McDonald’s (16.7%). FranchiseVerdict rates Jimmy John's A (Strongest tier) and McDonald’s A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Jimmy John's | McDonald’s |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $366K – $728K | $1.5M – $2.8M |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $45K |
| Royalty Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $986K | $4.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 5.8% (1074 loans) | 16.7% (24 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,689 | 13,706 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2017 | 1955 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$366K – $728K
$1.5M – $2.8M
Franchise Fee
$35K
$45K
Royalty Rate
6.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$986K
$4.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
5.8% (1074 loans)
16.7% (24 loans)
Total Units
2,689
13,706
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2017
1955
FDD Year
2025
2026