Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen requires an investment of $1.2M – $3.9M while Wendy's requires $1.6M – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Wendy's reports higher average unit revenue at $2.0M. On SBA loan performance, Wendy's has a lower charge-off rate (0.8%) compared to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (10.4%). FranchiseVerdict rates Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen A (Strongest tier) and Wendy's A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.2M – $3.9M | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $50K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.0M | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 10.4% (332 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 3,177 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1976 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.2M – $3.9M
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$50K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.0M
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
10.4% (332 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
3,177
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1976
1971
FDD Year
2025
2026