Firehouse Subs vs Jimmy John's
Firehouse Subs vs Jimmy John's: Firehouse Subs costs $92K–$825K to open; Jimmy John's costs $25K–$366K. Firehouse Subs has 580 units, Jimmy John's has 2,689. SBA loan history: Firehouse Subs = 698 loans (7.3% default); Jimmy John's = 1,071 loans (4.3% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Firehouse Subs vs Jimmy John's — 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
Jimmy John's requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $92K for Firehouse Subs), a 269% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $20K for Firehouse Subs versus $35K for Jimmy John's — Firehouse Subs has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Firehouse Subs and 6% for Jimmy John's — equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Jimmy John's operates 2,689 units to Firehouse Subs's 580 — roughly 5× the system size. Jimmy John's has been operating 43 years (founded 1983) versus 32 for Firehouse Subs (founded 1994) — a 11-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Jimmy John's has the deeper SBA lending track record with 1,071 historical 7(a) approvals versus 698 for Firehouse Subs.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.3% for Firehouse Subs and 4.3% for Jimmy John's — Jimmy John's has the cleaner historical loss profile by 3.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 59 (Moderate) for Firehouse Subs and 58 (Moderate) for Jimmy John's, giving Firehouse Subs the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 59/100 | 58/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 698 | 1,071 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 7.3% | 4.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $92K – $825K | $25K – $366K |
Franchise Fee | $20K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 1.5% | 4.5% |
Liquid Capital | $555K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $1.0M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 580 | 2,689 |
Franchised Units | 580 | 2,647 |
Company-Owned | — | 42 |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1994 | 1983 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 2017 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 9 yrs |
Headquarters | Jacksonville, FL | Atlanta, GA |
Category | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Firehouse Subs or Jimmy John's?
Lower upfront capital required
Jimmy John's
Firehouse Subs: $92K starting · Jimmy John's: $25K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Jimmy John's
Firehouse Subs: 698 SBA loans · Jimmy John's: 1,071 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Jimmy John's
Firehouse Subs: 7.3% · Jimmy John's: 4.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Jimmy John's
Firehouse Subs: 580 units · Jimmy John's: 2,689 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Firehouse Subs: 6% · Jimmy John's: 6%
More lender financing options
Jimmy John's
Firehouse Subs: 183 unique lenders · Jimmy John's: 232 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
Firehouse Subs vs Jimmy John's: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Firehouse Subs and Jimmy John's is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $825K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Firehouse Subs with 698 SBA loans and Jimmy John's with 1,071. 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.