Jimmy John's vs Papa Johns
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Jimmy John's and Papa Johns are quick-service restaurants franchises. Jimmy John's requires an investment of $366K – $728K while Papa Johns requires $261K – $853K. In terms of revenue, Papa Johns reports higher average unit revenue at $1.1M. Note: Reported as net sales, not gross sales. On SBA loan performance, Jimmy John's has a lower charge-off rate (5.8%) compared to Papa Johns (18.1%). FranchiseVerdict rates Jimmy John's A (Strongest tier) and Papa Johns A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Jimmy John's | Papa Johns |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $366K – $728K | $261K – $853K |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $986K | $1.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 5.8% (1074 loans) | 18.1% (323 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,689 | 3,291 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2017 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$366K – $728K
$261K – $853K
Franchise Fee
$35K
$25K
Royalty Rate
6.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$986K
$1.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
5.8% (1074 loans)
18.1% (323 loans)
Total Units
2,689
3,291
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2017
2021
FDD Year
2025
2025