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QSRItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 98/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE.

Based on 2025 FDD · 2 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
67
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $1.3M – $4.7M. Reported owner economics show $299K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$1.3M – $4.7M
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$299K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
9.9 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
No matched SBA history
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse QSR franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $35K franchise fee · 8.5% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
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Total Investment Range$1.3M – $4.7M
MinMid: $3.0MMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$35K
Royalty Rate
5%
Ad Fund Rate
3.5%
Total Burden
8.5%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
1,113
-8 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
→ -0.7%
Year over year
Net Closure Rate
0.7%
From FDD Item 20
Cash-on-Cash Return
10.1%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
9.9 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
~3–8%
Fewer than 50 loans on record
Median Revenue
$2.6M
Item 19 disclosed
Premium Data

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Get cash-on-cash return, payback period, SBA default rate, and red flag details for PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE.

CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE vs. QSR Average

MetricPANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFEQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate - 9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return10.1%▼14.2%
Total Investment$3.0M$380K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

Compare

PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE vs McDonald'sPANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE vs Get Fried

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K–$2.3M
McDonald's
Revenue Only
$1.5M–$2.7M
Get Fried
Revenue Only
$102K–$505K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
McDonald's
$1.5M – $2.7M
Get Fried
$102K – $505K
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
$422K – $1.2M

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE →Validation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

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