Papa John's Pizza vs Sonic
Franchise Comparison 2026
Papa John's Pizza is a full-service restaurants franchise, while Sonic operates in quick-service restaurants. Papa John's Pizza requires an investment of $281K – $890K while Sonic requires $1.5M – $2.5M. In terms of revenue, Sonic reports higher average unit revenue at $1.6M. On SBA loan performance, Sonic has a lower charge-off rate (8.3%) compared to Papa John's Pizza (19.6%). FranchiseVerdict rates Papa John's Pizza A (Strongest tier) and Sonic A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Papa John's Pizza | Sonic |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $281K – $890K | $1.5M – $2.5M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $15K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.1MIncl. company outlets | $1.6M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 19.6% (190 loans) | 8.3% (144 loans) |
| Total Units | 3,294 | 3,412 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2021 | 1974 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$281K – $890K
$1.5M – $2.5M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$15K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.1MIncl. company outlets
$1.6M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
19.6% (190 loans)
8.3% (144 loans)
Total Units
3,294
3,412
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2021
1974
FDD Year
2026
2026