Dairy Queen vs Jersey Mike's Franchise Cost 2026
Dairy Queen runs $1.1M–$1.9M. Jersey Mike's runs $252K–$755K. The gap at midpoint: $995K.
Dairy Queen
$1.1M–$1.9M
total investment
Investment Difference
$995K
Jersey Mike's costs less
Jersey Mike's
$252K–$755K
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dairy Queen | Jersey Mike's | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $1.1M–$1.9M | $252K–$755K | Jersey Mike's |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $18,500 | Jersey Mike's |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 6.5% | Dairy Queen |
| Ad Fund Fee | 6.0% | 2.0% | Jersey Mike's |
| Net Worth Required | $750K | $300K | Jersey Mike's |
| Liquid Capital | $400K | $100K | Jersey Mike's |
| Est. Break-Even | 77.3 yr | 13.7 yr | Jersey Mike's |
Dairy Queen Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.1M–$1.9M
- Franchise Fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 4.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $970K
Jersey Mike's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $252K–$755K
- Franchise Fee
- $18,500
- Royalty
- 6.5%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $1.0M
Bottom Line
Jersey Mike's costs $995K less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dairy Queen also wins on royalty rate.