Jimmy John's franchise
Jimmy John's is a sandwich chain built on speed, selling subs and club sandwiches on fresh-baked bread for carryout, delivery and dine-in. Restaurants are typically in strip centers, malls and free-standing units. At the end of 2025 there were 2,777 Jimmy John's locations in the US, 2,737 franchised and 40 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $366K–$734K
- Franchise fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 6%
- Locations, 2025
- 2,777+140 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Time to open
- Must open within 16 months of signing
- Agreement length
- 10 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Jimmy John's franchise costs
Opening a Jimmy John's at a traditional location costs an estimated $366,200 to $733,500. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC, 2026 filing, page 48
Jimmy John's franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,000, for a standard traditional restaurant ($17,500 at a non-traditional location). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC, 2026 filing, page 32
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 6% of weekly gross sales, paid each Wednesday. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | Up to 4.5% of weekly gross sales for advertising (2.25% at non-traditional sites), plus up to 2% for local co-ops. |
Source: Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC, 2026 filing, page 35
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Jimmy John's publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 annual unit volumes for franchised restaurants open the full year. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC, 2026 filing, page 88
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,604 (+7) | 40 | 53 |
| 2024 | 2,647 (+43) | 42 | 43 |
| 2025 | 2,737 (+90) | 40 | 33 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC, 2026 filing, page 91
How Jimmy John's compares
Of the 46 fast food franchises on this site, Jimmy John's is the 9th cheapest to open and the 17th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Jimmy John's | Typical fast food |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $366K | $701K |
| Royalty | 6% | 5% |
| Closed or left per year | 1.6% | 2% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +5.4% | +6.3% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 39 of 46 |
Typical is the median across the 46 brands in fast food franchises.
Other fast food franchises
Jimmy John's franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Jimmy John's?
Must open within 16 months of signing, according to Jimmy John's's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Jimmy John's help with financing?
No. Jimmy John's does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Jimmy John's franchise agreement?
The initial term is 10 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Jimmy John's growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 269 franchised locations opened and 129 closed or left, a net change of +5.4%. About 1.6% of locations closed or left each year. That is in line with the 2% typical for fast food franchises.
How does Jimmy John's compare with other fast food franchises?
Of the 46 fast food franchises here, Jimmy John's is the 9th cheapest to open (low end $366K against a $701K median) and the 17th largest by number of locations. Its 6% royalty is above the 5% median.
Does Jimmy John's say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 annual unit volumes for franchised restaurants open the full year. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Jimmy John's based?
Jimmy John's Franchisor SPV, LLC is based in Atlanta, Georgia.