Is Subway or Mama’s Meatball cheaper to open?

Subway costs $238,625–$536,745 and Mama’s Meatball costs $311,500–$467,400 to open (FDD Item 7). Subway has the lower entry cost.

Which is the better franchise, Subway or Mama’s Meatball?

FranchiseVerdict grades Subway A and Mama’s Meatball C, from FDD Items 5–7, 19–21 and SBA loan performance. See the full side-by-side above.

Subway vs Mama’s Meatball

Franchise Comparison 2026

Both Subway and Mama’s Meatball are quick-service restaurants franchises. Subway requires an investment of $239K – $537K while Mama’s Meatball requires $312K – $467K. Neither Subway nor Mama’s Meatball makes a financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD — a voluntary item under the FTC Franchise Rule — so the two cannot be compared on disclosed unit revenue. Subway has SBA lending data on file with a 6.8% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Subway A (Strongest tier) and Mama’s Meatball C (Average).

Metric	Subway	Mama’s Meatball
Verdict Grade	AStrongest tier	CAverage
Investment Range	$239K – $537K	$312K – $467K
Franchise Fee	$15K	$35K
Royalty Rate	8.0%	5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)	N/ANo Item 19 representation	N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate	6.8% (6096 loans)	N/A
Total Units	19,502	1
Unit Growth (YoY)	-631 units	+0 units
Year Began Franchising	1974	2022
FDD Year	2025	2025