ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
QSRLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 100/100

Schlotzsky’s Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Schlotzsky’s.

Based on 2025 FDD · 7 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
56
C
Moderate Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
D
52/100
6/7 metrics · High confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
Unlock 10 Reports — Start with Schlotzsky’s →Already have access? Sign in →

Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Schlotzsky’s franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Schlotzsky’s franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $648K – $2.0M. Reported owner economics show $29K. 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
$648K – $2.0M
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$29K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
45.5 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
8.1%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse QSR franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $36K franchise fee · 10% 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 Schlotzsky’s, 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
Unlock 10 reports — start with Schlotzsky’sView sample report first

$19.99 one-time · Includes 10 reports · 7-day satisfaction guarantee

Total Investment Range$648K – $2.0M
MinMid: $1.3MMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$36K
Royalty Rate
6%
Ad Fund Rate
4%
Total Burden
10.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
295
-15 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
↓ -5.0%
Year over year
Net Closure Rate
4.8%
From FDD Item 20
Cash-on-Cash Return
2.2%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
45.5 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
8.1%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
$953K
Item 19 disclosed
Premium Data

Unlock Full Franchise Analysis

Get cash-on-cash return, payback period, SBA default rate, and red flag details for Schlotzsky’s.

CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
Unlock 10 Reports - $19.99

Or sign in if you already purchased

Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Schlotzsky’s vs. QSR Average

MetricSchlotzsky’sQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate8.1%▲9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return2.2%▼14.2%
Total Investment$1.3M$380K

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

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2013-2026). 63 loans across 18 states.

Default Rate
8.1%
Moderate
Total SBA Loans
63
18 states
Total Loan Volume
$51.8M
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$822K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
25
Paid in Full (40%)
26
Currently Active
3
Charged Off (2.1% by $)
$1.1M
Total Charged Off ($)
● Paid● Active● Charged Off

Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.

Compare

Schlotzsky’s vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Schlotzsky’s vs Loving CupSchlotzsky’s vs Donut King

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K–$2.3M
Loving Cup
No Item 19
$166K–$242K
Donut King
Limited Data
$211K–$332K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
Loving Cup
$166K – $242K
Donut King
$211K – $332K
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar
$210K – $264K

Related Blog Posts

Xponential Fitness Explores Sale: What Franchisees and Investors Should Know (2026) | FranchiseIQ

Xponential Fitness (NYSE: XPOF) announced a strategic review on April 6, 2026, with Jefferies eng...

Founded 2017 - May 2024 · General
📬 Get notified when Schlotzsky’s changes fees
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Schlotzsky’s franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Schlotzsky’s's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Schlotzsky’s 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 Schlotzsky’s →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.

Explore More

All QSR FranchisesBest Fast Food FranchisesLow-Cost FranchisesSchlotzsky’s vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Franchises With Item 19Industry Benchmarks