Papa Johns vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Papa Johns and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Papa Johns requires an investment of $261K – $853K while Wendy's requires $410K – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Wendy's reports higher average unit revenue at $2.1M. On SBA loan performance, Wendy's has a lower charge-off rate (0.8%) compared to Papa Johns (18.1%). FranchiseVerdict rates Papa Johns A (Top Quintile) and Wendy's A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Papa Johns | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | ATop QuintileTop Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $261K – $853K | $410K – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4-6% of Gross Sales depending on restaurant type and development program (4% traditional/Groundbreaker, 5% Pacesetter, 6% military/Build-to-Suit) |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.2M | $2.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 18.1% (323 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 3,291 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2021 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$261K – $853K
$410K – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
4-6% of Gross Sales depending on restaurant type and development program (4% traditional/Groundbreaker, 5% Pacesetter, 6% military/Build-to-Suit)
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.2M
$2.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
18.1% (323 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
3,291
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2021
1971
FDD Year
2025
2026