Sonic Drive-In vs Five Guys
Compare published costs, candidate requirements and operating commitments.
All amounts are USD. Read the restaurant format, sales basis and exclusions beside each figure. Missing information means the reviewed sources did not establish a comparable amount.
Availability and operating model
Sonic Drive-In
The 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
- SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Operating commitment
The published process includes application, discussion with the franchise team, FDD review and an interview before signing.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Five Guys
Five Guys says new franchise territories are sold out in the United States and Canada. Current recruitment is for selected international markets.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Five Guys franchise availabilitySource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Operating commitment
The public recruitment requirements relate to available international markets; confirm any proposed existing-business transfer separately.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Five Guys franchise availabilitySource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Published financial requirements
These figures describe different transactions and obligations. Initial fees, separate development fees and liquid-capital requirements are distinct; they are not added together here as a total project budget.
| Requirement | Sonic Drive-In | Five Guys |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment / development estimate | $1,485,200–$2,522,900 US web-summary investment range; confirm the applicable restaurant format
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
| Initial franchise fee | $15,000 US initial franchise fee as listed in the web summary
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
| Separate development fee | $10,000 US; per restaurant Listed separately from the initial franchise fee; confirm timing and any credits in the FDD.
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
| Liquid capital / personal funds | $500,000 US candidate liquid-assets requirement
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
| Net worth | $1,000,000 US candidate net-worth requirement
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
| Royalty / service fee | 5% Percentage of gross sales
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
| Advertising / marketing contribution | 3.25% Percentage of gross sales
| Not comparable for this model United States New US/Canada territories are sold out. International recruitment amounts are not represented here as US franchise terms.
|
Sources and review limits
The check date records when a source was reviewed. It is not the source publication date or the issue date of an FDD. Official web summaries that refer to an FDD are identified as summaries.
Sonic Drive-In
- SONIC — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Five Guys
- Five Guys franchise availabilitySource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Build a scenario from your own assumptions
These requirements do not establish restaurant sales or owner earnings. Use a budget for the actual format and transaction, and enter your own operating assumptions in the calculator.
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