Dairy Queen vs Subway
Dairy Queen vs Subway: Dairy Queen costs $549K–$2.5M to open; Subway costs $263K–$630K. Dairy Queen has 1,575 units, Subway has 3,936. SBA loan history: Dairy Queen = 2,005 loans (7.2% default); Subway = 6,080 loans (5.5% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Dairy Queen vs Subway: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
Subway requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($263K vs $549K for Dairy Queen), a 109% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Dairy Queen versus $15K for Subway, Subway has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 4% for Dairy Queen and 8% for Subway, giving Dairy Queen the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Subway operates 3,936 units to Dairy Queen's 1,575, roughly 2× the system size. Dairy Queen has been operating 86 years (founded 1940) versus 61 for Subway (founded 1965), a 25-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Subway has the deeper SBA lending track record with 6,080 historical 7(a) approvals versus 2,005 for Dairy Queen. Dairy Queen's peak SBA year was 2000 (103 loans); Subway's peak was 2003 (515 loans). Subway's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Dairy Queen concentrates in OH (121 SBA-funded units) while Subway leads in CA (570). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Dairy Queen deals is $401K vs $195K for Subway, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.2% for Dairy Queen and 5.5% for Subway, Subway has the cleaner historical loss profile by 1.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for Dairy Queen and 60 (Moderate) for Subway.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 60/100 | 60/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 2,005 | 6,080 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.2% | 5.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $549K – $2.5M | $263K – $630K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $15K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 6% | 4.5% |
Liquid Capital | $400K | $40K |
Net Worth Required | $750K | $310K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,575 | 3,936 |
Franchised Units | 1,575 | 3,936 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 20 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1940 | 1965 |
Franchising Since | 1944 | 1974 |
Years Franchising | 82 yrs | 52 yrs |
Headquarters | Bloomington, MN | Shelton, CT |
Category | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Dairy Queen or Subway?
Lower upfront capital required
Subway
Dairy Queen: $549K starting · Subway: $263K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Subway
Dairy Queen: 2,005 SBA loans · Subway: 6,080 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Subway
Dairy Queen: 7.2% · Subway: 5.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Subway
Dairy Queen: 1,575 units · Subway: 3,936 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen: 4% · Subway: 8%
More lender financing options
Subway
Dairy Queen: 479 unique lenders · Subway: 831 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.
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About These Franchises
Dairy Queen vs Subway: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Dairy Queen and Subway is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $263K to $2.5M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Dairy Queen with 2,005 SBA loans and Subway with 6,080. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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 Subway, Frequently Asked Questions
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