Jimmy John's vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Jimmy John's and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Jimmy John's requires an investment of $366K – $728K 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 Jimmy John's (5.8%). FranchiseVerdict rates Jimmy John's A (Strongest tier) and Wendy's A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Jimmy John's | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $366K – $728K | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 6.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $986K | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 5.8% (1074 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,689 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2017 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$366K – $728K
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$35K
$50K
Royalty Rate
6.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$986K
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
5.8% (1074 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
2,689
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2017
1971
FDD Year
2025
2026