Jack in the Box vs Dunkin': Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Food & Restaurant Real Data Not Investment Advice
Ji

Jack in the Box

Food & Restaurant
$1.2M – $2.5M
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VS
D

Dunkin'

Food & Restaurant
$527K – $1.8M
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Dunkin' wins on investment range ($691K less) vs Jack in the Box.
Fee Burden
Jack in the Box wins on royalty rate (0.9% lower) vs Dunkin'.
Unit Count
Dunkin' wins on total units (11,000 more) vs Jack in the Box.
Satisfaction
Dunkin' wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Jack in the Box.

Investment & Fees

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Min Investment $1.2M $527K
Max Investment $2.5M $1.8M
Franchise Fee $50K $40K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 5.9%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Avg Unit Revenue $1.6M $1.1M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Total Units 2,200 13,200
Annual Growth 30.0% 2.0%
Failure Rate N/A 3.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Franchisee Satisfaction 63/100 70/100

Track Record

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Years in Business N/A 75
Years Franchising N/A 65

Financial Requirements

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Min Net Worth Required N/A $500K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $250K

Operations

Metric Jack in the Box Dunkin'
Avg Employees N/A 25
Training Weeks N/A 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jack in the Box or Dunkin' a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Jack in the Box has 2,200 total units and a 63/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Dunkin' has 13,200 total units and a 70/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Jack in the Box franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Jack in the Box franchise requires an initial investment of $1.2M – $2.5M. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Dunkin' franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Dunkin' franchise requires an initial investment of $527K – $1.8M. The franchise fee is $40K, with ongoing royalties of 5.9%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Jack in the Box vs Dunkin'?

Jack in the Box's royalty rate is 5.0%. Dunkin''s royalty rate is 5.9%. That means Jack in the Box has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Jack in the Box or Dunkin'?

Jack in the Box has 2,200 total units. Dunkin' has 13,200 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Jack in the Box or Dunkin' semi-absentee friendly?

Jack in the Box is typically run as a owner-operator model. Dunkin' is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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