Compare investment requirements for sandwich and sub franchises. See total costs, fees, and capital requirements for Subway, Jersey Mike's, Firehouse Subs, and more.
| Brand | Total Investment | Franchise Fee | Cash Required | Net Worth | Royalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | $116K - $263K | $15K | $50K | $100K | 8% |
| Jersey Mike's | $200K - $780K | $19K | $100K | $300K | 6.5% |
| Jimmy John's | $330K - $558K | $35K | $200K | $300K | 6% |
| Firehouse Subs | $343K - $977K | $20K | $100K | $300K | 6% |
| Arby's | $400K - $2.1M | $38K | $500K | $1M | 4% |
Subway = lowest barrier to entry: Subway historically offers one of the lowest total investment requirements in QSR ($150K-$300K range). This makes it accessible to first-time franchisees but also contributes to market saturation challenges.
Jersey Mike's is growing fast: Jersey Mike's has emerged as the premium sub franchise, commanding higher unit volumes than competitors. Investment is higher ($200K-$800K+) but so is average unit revenue.
Lunch daypart dominates: Sandwich franchises see 60-70% of sales during lunch. Location near office complexes, business districts, or high daytime traffic is essential for success.
Labor is manageable: Sandwich concepts typically require smaller teams than burger or chicken brands. Most operate with 8-15 employees per location, and food prep is less complex than cooked proteins.
Use our comparison tool to evaluate sandwich franchises on investment, fees, unit economics, and growth potential.
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