Jersey Mike's 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
JM

Jersey Mike's

Food & Restaurant
$217K – $749K
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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
Jersey Mike's wins on investment range ($1.1M less) vs Dunkin'.
Fee Burden
Dunkin' wins on royalty rate (0.6% lower) vs Jersey Mike's.
Unit Count
Dunkin' wins on total units (10,500 more) vs Jersey Mike's.
Satisfaction
Jersey Mike's wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Dunkin'.

Investment & Fees

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Min Investment $217K $527K
Max Investment $749K $1.8M
Franchise Fee $19K $40K
Royalty Rate 6.5% 5.9%
Ad Fund Rate 4.0% 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Avg Unit Revenue $1.2M $1.1M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Total Units 2,700 13,200
Annual Growth 11.0% 2.0%
Failure Rate 2.5% 3.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Franchisee Satisfaction 82/100 70/100

Track Record

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Years in Business 68 75
Years Franchising 37 65

Financial Requirements

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Min Net Worth Required $300K $500K
Liquid Capital Required $100K $250K

Operations

Metric Jersey Mike's Dunkin'
Avg Employees 20 25
Training Weeks 4 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jersey Mike's or Dunkin' a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Jersey Mike's has 2,700 total units and a 82/100 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 Jersey Mike's franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Jersey Mike's franchise requires an initial investment of $217K – $749K. The franchise fee is $19K, with ongoing royalties of 6.5%. 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 Jersey Mike's vs Dunkin'?

Jersey Mike's's royalty rate is 6.5%. Dunkin''s royalty rate is 5.9%. That means Dunkin' has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Jersey Mike's or Dunkin'?

Jersey Mike's has 2,700 total units. Dunkin' has 13,200 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Jersey Mike's or Dunkin' semi-absentee friendly?

Jersey Mike's 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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