Dave & Buster's vs Firehouse Subs Franchise Cost 2026
Dave & Buster's runs $5.7M–$15.6M. Firehouse Subs runs $351K–$667K. The gap at midpoint: $10.1M.
Dave & Buster's
$5.7M–$15.6M
total investment
Investment Difference
$10.1M
Firehouse Subs costs less
Firehouse Subs
$351K–$667K
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dave & Buster's | Firehouse Subs | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $5.7M–$15.6M | $351K–$667K | Firehouse Subs |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $20,000 | Firehouse Subs |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Ad Fund Fee | 1.0% | 3.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Net Worth Required | $5.0M | $300K | Firehouse Subs |
| Liquid Capital | $2.5M | $80K | Firehouse Subs |
| Est. Break-Even | 20.9 yr | 20.0 yr | Firehouse Subs |
Dave & Buster's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $5.7M–$15.6M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $8.5M
Firehouse Subs Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $351K–$667K
- Franchise Fee
- $20,000
- Royalty
- 6.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $850K
Bottom Line
Firehouse Subs costs $10.1M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dave & Buster's also wins on royalty rate.