Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs
Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs: Dairy Queen costs $549K to $2.5M to open; Firehouse Subs costs $92K to $825K. Dairy Queen has 1,575 units, Firehouse Subs has 580. SBA loan history: Dairy Queen = 2,005 loans (7.2% default); Firehouse Subs = 698 loans (7.3% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Firehouse Subs requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($92K vs $549K for Dairy Queen), a 495% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Dairy Queen versus $20K for Firehouse Subs, Firehouse Subs has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 4% for Dairy Queen and 6% for Firehouse Subs, giving Dairy Queen the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Dairy Queen operates 1,575 units to Firehouse Subs's 580, roughly 3× the system size. Dairy Queen has been operating 86 years (founded 1940) versus 32 for Firehouse Subs (founded 1994), a 54-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Dairy Queen has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 2,005 7(a) approvals compared with 698 for Firehouse Subs.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.2% for Dairy Queen and 7.3% for Firehouse Subs, Dairy Queen has the cleaner SBA loss record by 0.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for Dairy Queen and 59 (Moderate) for Firehouse Subs, giving Dairy Queen the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 59/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 2,005 | 698 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.2% | 7.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $549K to $2.5M | $92K to $825K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $20K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 6% | 1.5% |
Liquid Capital | $400K | $555K |
Net Worth Required | $750K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,575 | 580 |
Franchised Units | 1,575 | 580 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 20 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1940 | 1994 |
Franchising Since | 1944 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 82 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Bloomington, MN | Jacksonville, FL |
Category | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Dairy Queen or Firehouse Subs?
Lower upfront capital required
Firehouse Subs
Dairy Queen: $549K starting · Firehouse Subs: $92K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen: 2,005 SBA loans · Firehouse Subs: 698 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen: 7.2% · Firehouse Subs: 7.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen: 1,575 units · Firehouse Subs: 580 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen: 4% · Firehouse Subs: 6%
More lender financing options
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen: 479 unique lenders · Firehouse Subs: 183 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Dairy Queen or Firehouse Subs?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Dairy Queen and Firehouse Subs is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $92K to $2.5M.
Dairy Queen has 2,005 SBA loans on record and Firehouse Subs has 698. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Dairy Queen or Firehouse Subs?
How much does a Dairy Queen franchise cost compared to Firehouse Subs?
Can I finance Dairy Queen or Firehouse Subs with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Dairy Queen or Firehouse Subs?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman