Sonic vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Sonic and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Sonic requires an investment of $670K – $2.5M 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 Sonic (8.3%). FranchiseVerdict rates Sonic A (Top Quintile) and Wendy's A (Top Quintile).
| Metric | Sonic | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | ATop QuintileTop Quintile | ATop QuintileTop Quintile |
| Investment Range | $670K – $2.5M | $410K – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $15K | $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) | $1.6M | $2.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 8.3% (144 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 3,412 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1974 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$670K – $2.5M
$410K – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$15K
$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)
$1.6M
$2.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
8.3% (144 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
3,412
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1974
1971
FDD Year
2026
2026