Jersey Mike's vs Firehouse Subs
Franchise Comparison (2026)
2026 FDD Data
Jersey Mike's holds the #2 Franchise 500 ranking with 3,000+ locations and reports $1.29M average gross sales, while Firehouse Subs offers slightly lower royalty fees (6% vs 6.5%) and a narrower investment range. Jersey Mike's has nearly 3x the network size and stronger disclosed financials.
Jersey Mike's and Firehouse Subs are two of the fastest-growing sub sandwich franchises in America, both emphasizing quality ingredients and made-to-order sandwiches. This FDD comparison examines their franchise fees, investment requirements, and market positioning. Understanding how these premium sub brands differ will help investors choose the right sandwich franchise opportunity.
Quick Comparison
Jersey Mike's
$18,500
Firehouse Subs
$20,000
Jersey Mike's
$182,000 - $1,414,000
Firehouse Subs
$200,000 - $1,010,000
Jersey Mike's
6.5% of gross receipts
Firehouse Subs
6%
Jersey Mike's
3,000
Firehouse Subs
1,200
Jersey Mike's
$1.29M
Firehouse Subs
N/A
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Jersey Mike's | Firehouse Subs |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | ||
| Franchise Fee | $18,500 | $20,000 |
| Total Investment (Low) | $182,000 | $200,000 |
| Total Investment (High) | $1,414,000 | $1,010,000 |
| Net Worth Required | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Ongoing Fees | ||
| Royalty Rate | 6.5% | 6% |
| Advertising Fund | 5% | 5% |
| Technology Fee | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| System Size & Growth | ||
| Total Units | 3,000 | 1,200 |
| Franchised Units | 3,000 | 1,200 |
| Company-Owned Units | 0 | 0 |
| 3-Year Net Growth | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Financial Performance (Item 19) | ||
| Item 19 Disclosed | Yes | No |
| Average Revenue | $1,290,000 | N/A |
| Median Revenue | Not Disclosed | N/A |
| Franchise Terms | ||
| Initial Term | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Renewal Term | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Territory Protection | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Requirements | ||
| Owner-Operator Required | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Training Hours | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Years Franchising | 70 years | 32 years |
| Risk Indicators | ||
| Litigation Matters | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Termination Rate | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
Key Differences
Network Size: Jersey Mike's has 3,000+ locations vs Firehouse Subs at 1,200
Franchise 500: Jersey Mike's ranked #2; Firehouse Subs not in top rankings
Average Revenue: Jersey Mike's reports $1.29M average; Firehouse doesn't disclose
Royalty Fee: Jersey Mike's at 6.5% vs Firehouse Subs at 6%
Franchise Fee: Jersey Mike's at $18,500 vs Firehouse at $20,000
Heritage: Jersey Mike's founded 1956; Firehouse Subs founded 1994 by firefighters
Brand Focus: Firehouse emphasizes community and first responders; Jersey Mike's emphasizes fresh slicing
Investment Fit Analysis
Who Should Consider Jersey Mike's
Jersey Mike's suits investors seeking a top-ranked sub franchise with proven financials and rapid growth trajectory.
#2 on Franchise 500
$1.29M average gross sales
3,000+ locations nationwide
Fresh-sliced sandwich concept
Founded 1956 - heritage brand
Lower franchise fee ($18,500)
Who Should Consider Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs suits investors seeking a community-focused sub brand with lower royalty fees and firefighter heritage.
Lower royalty fee (6% vs 6.5%)
Firefighter-founded brand
Public Safety Foundation involvement
Narrower investment range ($200K-$1.01M)
1,200 locations
Multi-unit development agreements available
Frequently Asked Questions
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Disclaimer
This comparison is provided for informational purposes only. Data has been aggregated from publicly available sources including Franchise Disclosure Documents, industry publications, and franchise analysis websites.
Prospective franchisees should review the complete FDD for each franchise, conduct their own due diligence, and consult with qualified legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.