Dave & Buster's vs Subway Franchise Cost 2026
Dave & Buster's runs $5.7M–$15.6M. Subway runs $229K–$522K. The gap at midpoint: $10.3M.
Dave & Buster's
$5.7M–$15.6M
total investment
Investment Difference
$10.3M
Subway costs less
Subway
$229K–$522K
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dave & Buster's | Subway | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $5.7M–$15.6M | $229K–$522K | Subway |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $15,000 | Subway |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 8.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Ad Fund Fee | 1.0% | 4.5% | Dave & Buster's |
| Net Worth Required | $5.0M | $100K | Subway |
| Liquid Capital | $2.5M | $100K | Subway |
| Est. Break-Even | 20.9 yr | N/A | — |
Dave & Buster's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $5.7M–$15.6M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $8.5M
Subway Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $229K–$522K
- Franchise Fee
- $15,000
- Royalty
- 8.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $430K
Bottom Line
Subway costs $10.3M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dave & Buster's also wins on royalty rate.