Quiznos vs Subway
Quiznos vs Subway: Quiznos costs $37K–$269K to open; Subway costs $263K–$630K. Quiznos has 1,924 units, Subway has 3,936. SBA loan history: Quiznos = 2,764 loans (24.0% 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.
Quiznos 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
Quiznos requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($37K vs $263K for Subway), a 86% spread. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for Quiznos and 8% for Subway, giving Quiznos the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Subway operates 3,936 units to Quiznos's 1,924 — roughly 2× the system size. Subway has been operating 61 years (founded 1965) versus 45 for Quiznos (founded 1981) — a 16-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 2,764 for Quiznos. Quiznos's peak SBA year was 2004 (539 loans); Subway's peak was 2003 (515 loans). Quiznos's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Quiznos concentrates in TX (337 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 Quiznos deals is $152K vs $195K for Subway — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 24.0% for Quiznos and 5.5% for Subway — Subway has the cleaner historical loss profile by 18.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 41 (Fair) for Quiznos and 60 (Moderate) for Subway, giving Subway the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 41/100 | 60/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 2,764 | 6,080 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 24.0% | 5.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $37K – $269K | $263K – $630K |
Franchise Fee | N/A | $15K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 8% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 4.5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $40K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $310K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,924 | 3,936 |
Franchised Units | 1,924 | 3,936 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | 20 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1981 | 1965 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1974 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 52 yrs |
Headquarters | Tukwila, WA | Shelton, CT |
Category | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Quiznos or Subway?
Lower upfront capital required
Quiznos
Quiznos: $37K starting · Subway: $263K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Subway
Quiznos: 2,764 SBA loans · Subway: 6,080 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Subway
Quiznos: 24.0% · Subway: 5.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Subway
Quiznos: 1,924 units · Subway: 3,936 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Quiznos
Quiznos: 5% · Subway: 8%
More lender financing options
Subway
Quiznos: 378 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
Quiznos vs Subway: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Quiznos and Subway is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $37K to $630K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Quiznos with 2,764 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.