Compare QSR Franchises
Explore published costs, candidate requirements and operating commitments. Each comparison keeps the source, restaurant format and missing information beside the fact.
A brand appearing here does not mean new franchises are available. Check the cited sources and confirm current terms with each franchisor.
Featured comparisons
McDonald's vs Wendy's
View requirements, availability and source notes.
Compare brandsWendy's vs Burger King
View requirements, availability and source notes.
Compare brandsHardee's vs Carl's Jr.
View requirements, availability and source notes.
Compare brandsChick-fil-A vs KFC
View requirements, availability and source notes.
Compare brandsKFC vs Wingstop
View requirements, availability and source notes.
Compare brandsSubway vs Jimmy John's
View requirements, availability and source notes.
Compare brandsBrowse by category
burger
McDonald's
Costs and requirementsThe published candidate-funding figures cover buying and operating an existing restaurant. New restaurants require a greater investment.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Wendy's
Costs and requirementsWendy’s seeks experienced operators. Its two official recruitment pages currently disagree on capital requirements; obtain confirmation for the proposed transaction.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Wendy's becoming a franchiseeSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
- Wendy's franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Burger King
Costs and requirementsThe recruitment site covers the United States and Canada; restaurant format determines the published build-cost estimate.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Burger King franchise investmentSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Hardee's
Costs and requirementsThe brand prefers multi-unit agreements; smaller agreements may be considered. Its requirements page still cites the 2024 FDD.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Hardee's franchising requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Page explicitly refers to the 2024 FDD; historical web summary.
- Hardee's franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Carl's Jr.
Costs and requirementsThe brand prefers multi-unit agreements; smaller agreements may be considered. Its requirements page still cites the 2024 FDD.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Carl's Jr. franchising requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Page explicitly refers to the 2024 FDD; historical web summary.
- Carl's Jr. franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
chicken
Chick-fil-A
Costs and requirementsChick-fil-A selects full-time restaurant Operators. Meeting the published minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
KFC describes buying land and building, leasing property and building, reopening or converting a restaurant, and developer-funded build-to-suit leases.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- KFC franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
- KFC development optionsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
- KFC franchise inquirySource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Wingstop
Costs and requirementsTerritories are limited and market-dependent. Capital requirements can exceed the stated minimums.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
sandwich
Subway
Costs and requirementsSubway is seeking multi-unit applicants and buyers interested in acquiring at least five existing restaurants.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Subway US franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Web page references the FDD without giving its issue year.
Jimmy John's
Costs and requirementsThe brand offers multiple restaurant formats. Site, format and market availability require confirmation during the application process.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Jimmy John's — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Read the scope before comparing amounts
A new restaurant, an existing-business acquisition and an Operator arrangement can have very different funding requirements. An initial fee is only one part of an agreement.
Published ranges can cover different formats and exclude land or financing. Royalty and advertising figures can use different sales definitions, and other charges can apply. The comparisons retain these differences instead of ranking a lowest-cost or highest-return brand.
The sources are official web pages and documents identified on each comparison. A web page referring to an FDD does not mean we independently reviewed that FDD. Source check dates are separate from publication or document dates.
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