McDonald’s vs Papa John's Pizza
Franchise Comparison 2026
McDonald’s is a quick-service restaurants franchise, while Papa John's Pizza operates in full-service restaurants. McDonald’s requires an investment of $1.5M – $2.8M while Papa John's Pizza requires $281K – $890K. In terms of revenue, McDonald’s reports higher average unit revenue at $4.1M. On SBA loan performance, McDonald’s has a lower charge-off rate (16.7%) compared to Papa John's Pizza (19.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates McDonald’s A (Strongest tier) and Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | McDonald’s | Papa John's Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $2.8M | $281K – $890K |
| Franchise Fee | $45K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $4.1M | $1.1MIncl. company outlets |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 16.7% (24 loans) | 19.6% (190 loans) |
| Total Units | 13,706 | 3,294 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1955 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $2.8M
$281K – $890K
Franchise Fee
$45K
$25K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$4.1M
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate
16.7% (24 loans)
19.6% (190 loans)
Total Units
13,706
3,294
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1955
2021
FDD Year
2026
2026