Firehouse Subs vs IHOP Franchise Cost 2026
Firehouse Subs runs $351K–$667K. IHOP runs $1.7M–$4.0M. The gap at midpoint: $2.3M.
Firehouse Subs
$351K–$667K
total investment
Investment Difference
$2.3M
Firehouse Subs costs less
IHOP
$1.7M–$4.0M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Firehouse Subs | IHOP | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $351K–$667K | $1.7M–$4.0M | Firehouse Subs |
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $40,000 | Firehouse Subs |
| Royalty Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | IHOP |
| Ad Fund Fee | 3.0% | 3.5% | Firehouse Subs |
| Net Worth Required | $300K | $1.0M | Firehouse Subs |
| Liquid Capital | $80K | $500K | Firehouse Subs |
| Est. Break-Even | 20.0 yr | 33.9 yr | Firehouse Subs |
Firehouse Subs Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $351K–$667K
- Franchise Fee
- $20,000
- Royalty
- 6.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $850K
IHOP Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.7M–$4.0M
- Franchise Fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 4.5%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $2.1M
Bottom Line
Firehouse Subs costs $2.3M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. IHOP also wins on royalty rate.