Paris Baguette vs Subway: 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
PB

Paris Baguette

Food & Restaurant
$378K – $1.8M
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VS
S

Subway

Food & Restaurant
$229K – $524K
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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
Subway wins on investment range ($1.3M less) vs Paris Baguette.
Fee Burden
Paris Baguette wins on royalty rate (3.0% lower) vs Subway.
Unit Count
Subway wins on total units (36,410 more) vs Paris Baguette.
Satisfaction
Paris Baguette wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Subway.

Investment & Fees

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Min Investment $378K $229K
Max Investment $1.8M $524K
Franchise Fee $50K $15K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 8.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 4.5%

Unit Economics

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Avg Unit Revenue $900K $420K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Total Units 280 36,690
Annual Growth N/A -3.5%
Failure Rate N/A 8.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Franchisee Satisfaction 73/100 55/100

Track Record

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Years in Business N/A 59
Years Franchising N/A 48

Financial Requirements

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Min Net Worth Required N/A $100K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $50K

Operations

Metric Paris Baguette Subway
Avg Employees N/A 12
Training Weeks N/A 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paris Baguette or Subway a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Paris Baguette has 280 total units and a 73/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Subway has 36,690 total units and a 55/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Paris Baguette franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Paris Baguette franchise requires an initial investment of $378K – $1.8M. 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 Subway franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Subway franchise requires an initial investment of $229K – $524K. The franchise fee is $15K, with ongoing royalties of 8.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Paris Baguette vs Subway?

Paris Baguette's royalty rate is 5.0%. Subway's royalty rate is 8.0%. That means Paris Baguette has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Paris Baguette or Subway?

Paris Baguette has 280 total units. Subway has 36,690 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Paris Baguette or Subway semi-absentee friendly?

Paris Baguette is typically run as a owner-operator model. Subway is typically run as a owner-operator 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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