Papa John's Pizza vs Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Franchise Comparison 2026
Papa John's Pizza is a full-service restaurants franchise, while Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen operates in quick-service restaurants. Papa John's Pizza requires an investment of $281K – $890K while Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen requires $1.2M – $3.9M. In terms of revenue, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen reports higher average unit revenue at $2.0M. On SBA loan performance, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has a lower charge-off rate (10.4%) compared to Papa John's Pizza (19.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier) and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Papa John's Pizza | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $281K – $890K | $1.2M – $3.9M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.1MIncl. company outlets | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 19.6% (190 loans) | 10.4% (332 loans) |
| Total Units | 3,294 | 3,177 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2021 | 1976 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Papa John's Pizza
AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
AStrongest tierStrongest tier
Investment Range
$281K – $890K
$1.2M – $3.9M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
19.6% (190 loans)
10.4% (332 loans)
Total Units
3,294
3,177
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2021
1976
FDD Year
2026
2025