Smashburger vs McAlister’s Deli
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Smashburger and McAlister’s Deli are full-service restaurants franchises. Smashburger requires an investment of $1.2M – $2.3M while McAlister’s Deli requires $910K – $2.6M. McAlister’s Deli discloses average revenue of $1.9M; Smashburger does not report Item 19 data. On SBA loan performance, McAlister’s Deli has a lower charge-off rate (7.7%) compared to Smashburger (18.2%). FranchiseVerdict rates Smashburger F (Bottom Quintile) and McAlister’s Deli A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Smashburger | McAlister’s Deli |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | FBottom QuintileBottom Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $1.2M – $2.3M | $910K – $2.6M |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $36K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | N/A | $1.9M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 18.2% (11 loans) | 7.7% (43 loans) |
| Total Units | 194 | 572 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 2008 | 1991 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.2M – $2.3M
$910K – $2.6M
Franchise Fee
$40K
$36K
Royalty Rate
5.5%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
N/A
$1.9M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
18.2% (11 loans)
7.7% (43 loans)
Total Units
194
572
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
2008
1991
FDD Year
2025
2026