Jimmy John's vs Firehouse Subs
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
Jimmy John's
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
- Jimmy John's — 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
- Jimmy John's — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Firehouse Subs
The brand offers inline, endcap drive-through and freestanding drive-through formats with different budgets. The range below covers inline traditional restaurants only.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Firehouse Subs franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary refers to the 2025 US FDD, Items 6 and 7.
Operating commitment
At least one managing owner must hold 10% equity, live near the restaurant and participate in daily operations.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Firehouse Subs franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary refers to the 2025 US FDD, Items 6 and 7.
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 | Jimmy John's | Firehouse Subs |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment / development estimate | $366,200–$733,500 US web-summary investment range; confirm the applicable restaurant format
| $379,650–$795,600 US inline traditional restaurant; 2025 FDD web summary Endcap drive-through and freestanding drive-through estimates are higher; this is not a range covering every format.
|
| Initial franchise fee | $35,000 US initial franchise fee as listed in the web summary
| $20,000 US single-unit restaurant; 2025 FDD web summary
|
| Separate development fee | $10,000 US; per restaurant Listed separately from the initial franchise fee; confirm timing and any credits in the FDD.
| Not verified in reviewed sources United States No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
|
| Liquid capital / personal funds | $200,000 US candidate liquid-assets requirement
| $150,000 Minimum available liquid capital
|
| Net worth | $1,000,000 US candidate net-worth requirement
| $300,000 Minimum net worth
|
| Royalty / service fee | 6% Percentage of gross sales
| 6% Percentage of gross sales; 2025 FDD web summary
|
| Advertising / marketing contribution | 4.5% Percentage of gross sales Advertising and development fund.
| 5% Percentage of gross sales; national and local marketing; 2025 FDD web summary
|
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.
Jimmy John's
- Jimmy John's — Inspire Brands franchisingSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary referring to the FDD issued March 26, 2026.
Firehouse Subs
- Firehouse Subs franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Official web summary refers to the 2025 US FDD, Items 6 and 7.
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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