FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Jimmy John's.
Based on 2025 FDD · 5 filings in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Jimmy John's franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $366K – $728K. Reported owner economics show $23K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $35K franchise fee · 10.5% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
Jimmy John's requires a total initial investment of $366K to $728K (midpoint approximately $547K), with an initial franchise fee of $35K. The ongoing fee burden is 10.5% (6% royalty plus 4.5% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Jimmy John's locations is $935K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $23K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 4.3% with a payback period of approximately 23.4 years.
Jimmy John's operates approximately 2,604 franchised units. Unit count is relatively stable with a 1.7% year-over-year change. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 5.9% is in line with industry norms of approximately 9.4%.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2010-2026). 825 loans across 42 states.
Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.
Jimmy John
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