FDD-Backed Comparisons

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Side-by-side comparisons of investment costs, revenue potential, and unit growth — all sourced from actual Franchise Disclosure Documents.

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Data-driven head-to-head analysis of popular franchise brands.

M
McDonald's

Food & Beverage

62
vs
61
Jersey Mike's

Food & Beverage

J
$1,471,000 – $2,728,000Investment$185,903 – $1,417,592
$4,002,000Avg Revenue$1,338,874
13,559Total Units2,989
4% or 5%Royalty6.5

Score Breakdown

McDonald's: 70System HealthJersey Mike's: 75
McDonald's: 78Franchisor StrengthJersey Mike's: 65
McDonald's: 38Contract BurdenJersey Mike's: 43
McDonald's: 77EconomicsJersey Mike's: 65
McDonald's: 92ConfidenceJersey Mike's: 74

Verdict

McDonald's offers higher revenue potential but requires 3-5x the investment. Jersey Mike's provides better ROI relative to investment size.

Revenue: McDonald's $3.7M avg vs Jersey Mike's $1.4M avgInvestment: McDonald's $1.4-2.5M vs Jersey Mike's $234-795KGrowth: Jersey Mike's growing 3x faster
C
Chick-fil-A

Food & Beverage

64
vs
62
McDonald's

Food & Beverage

M
$426,735 – $2,339,525Investment$1,471,000 – $2,728,000
$9,317,007Avg Revenue$4,002,000
2,684Total Units13,559
15%Royalty4% or 5%

Score Breakdown

Chick-fil-A: 80System HealthMcDonald's: 70
Chick-fil-A: 83Franchisor StrengthMcDonald's: 78
Chick-fil-A: 30Contract BurdenMcDonald's: 38
Chick-fil-A: 77EconomicsMcDonald's: 77
Chick-fil-A: 92ConfidenceMcDonald's: 92

Verdict

Fundamentally different models. Chick-fil-A's $10K operator model is unmatched but you don't own the business. McDonald's requires $1.4M+ but you build equity.

Investment: $10K vs $1.4M+Ownership: Operator vs franchise ownerSelectivity: <1% vs ~50% acceptance rate

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Important Notice:Franchisel provides franchise research and analysis for informational purposes only. This is not financial, legal, or investment advice. All financial data labeled “Estimated” is approximate and has not been verified against actual FDD filings. Data labeled “FDD Verified” or “State Filing” has been extracted directly from government-filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (MN CARDS, WI DFI, CA DFPI) but may not reflect the most recent filing. Unit counts, revenue figures, and other metrics change frequently. Always request and independently verify the current FDD from the franchisor before making any investment decision. Consult a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before investing. Franchisel is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any franchise system listed on this platform. Scores reflect our editorial analysis methodology and are not endorsed by any franchisor.