Panera Bread vs Papa John's Pizza
Franchise Comparison 2026
Panera Bread is a quick-service restaurants franchise, while Papa John's Pizza operates in full-service restaurants. Panera Bread requires an investment of $1.3M – $4.7M while Papa John's Pizza requires $281K – $890K. In terms of revenue, Panera Bread reports higher average unit revenue at $2.6M. Note: Reported as net sales, not gross sales. Papa John's Pizza has SBA lending data on file with a 19.6% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Panera Bread A (Strongest tier) and Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Panera Bread | Papa John's Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.3M – $4.7M | $281K – $890K |
| Franchise Fee | $35K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.6M | $1.1MIncl. company outlets |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 19.6% (190 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,206 | 3,294 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1993 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.3M – $4.7M
$281K – $890K
Franchise Fee
$35K
$25K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.6M
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
19.6% (190 loans)
Total Units
2,206
3,294
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1993
2021
FDD Year
2025
2026