From the filings
Firehouse Subs vs Jimmy John's
Two franchise brands, side by side, from their filings.
More vendor edges
Jimmy John's
wins 3 of 10 rows
Jimmy John's is the larger system.
Firehouse Subs is adding franchised locations faster.
At Firehouse Subs, owners buy from an approved list; at Jimmy John's, headquarters controls purchasing.
Evidence
Locations: 1,291 at Firehouse Subs, 2,777 at Jimmy John's.
Item 20 · 2026 filing
Evidence
Franchised location growth: +3.6% at Firehouse Subs, +3.4% at Jimmy John's.
Item 20 · 2026 filing
Evidence
Purchasing: Approved supplier list at Firehouse Subs, Franchisor controlled at Jimmy John's.
Item 8 · 2026 filing
Quick service restaurant
Firehouse Subs
2 vendor edges
Quick service restaurant
Jimmy John's
3 vendor edges
Total locations
1,291
2,777Vendor edgemore locations to sell to
Franchised locations
1,249
2,737Vendor edgemore owner-run locations
Franchised location growth
+3.6%Vendor edgemore new locations opening
+3.4%
AUV
$974K
$1.01MVendor edgemore budget per location
Royalty
9%full terms unconfirmed
6%full terms unconfirmed
Ad fund
5%
4.5%
Initial fee
$20K
$35K
Investment range
$405K–$1.58M
$366K–$734K
Purchasing
Approved supplier listVendor edgeowners can buy, not only headquarters
Franchisor controlled
FDD year
2026
2026
Who decides, side by side
Who decides, by category
Firehouse Subs
Headquarters picks the POS and the loyalty program. Supplies come from an approved list. Headquarters sets standards for the accounting system.
Point of saleRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 11
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Evidence
Headquarters designates the POS every location uses.
“You must purchase, install, and use at your Restaurant a POS System provided by a vendor we have approved.”
Firehouse SubsItem 11 · 2026 filing
Card processingNot stated
HQMulti-unitThe filing doesn’t saySingle-unit
The filing doesn’t say. Ask headquarters who decides.
Supplies and equipmentApproved list
HQApproves a listMulti-unitChooses from the listSingle-unitChooses from the list
Get on the approved list, then sell owner by owner.Item 8
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Supplies come from suppliers headquarters approves.
“The Franchise Agreement requires that you purchase or lease and use only such equipment and supplies as we may specify or approve.”
Firehouse SubsItem 8 · 2026 filing
CRMNot stated
HQMulti-unitThe filing doesn’t saySingle-unit
The filing doesn’t say. Ask headquarters who decides.
AccountingStandards-based
HQSets standardsMulti-unitChooses what meets themSingle-unitChooses what meets them
Meet the standard, then sell to owners.Franchise agreement
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Owners keep books to headquarters’ requirements.
“Franchisee must report Gross Sales and other business information to Franchisor using the format, reporting system and accounting system (the “Accounting System”) that Franchisor requires from time to time.”
Firehouse SubsFranchise agreement · 2026 filing
LoyaltyRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 8
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Every location runs headquarters’ loyalty program.
“You must also use the digital platforms and related technology that we provide (e.g., mobile application, website, third party delivery services, and loyalty) and pay us the monthly Digital Technology Fee for such use.”
Firehouse SubsItem 8 · 2026 filing
Who decides, by category
Jimmy John's
Headquarters picks the POS, supplies and the loyalty program. Headquarters sets standards for the accounting system.
Point of saleRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Signature Systems · Item 11
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Evidence
POS is required through Signature Systems, $25,000 to $55,000.
“You must obtain the currently approved point-of-sale system provided by and proprietary to Signature Systems, Inc. The system’s approximate cost is $25,000 to $55,000, and monthly maintenance and support fees are approximately $250 to $500 depending on the configuration chosen and approved.”
Jimmy John'sItem 11 · 2026 filing
Card processingNot stated
HQMulti-unitThe filing doesn’t saySingle-unit
The filing doesn’t say. Ask headquarters who decides.
Supplies and equipmentRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 8
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Headquarters designates where supplies come from.
“Besides Trade Secret Food Products and Branded Products, you currently must buy all of your Restaurant’s equipment and point-of-sale system from our designated suppliers.”
Jimmy John'sItem 8 · 2026 filing
CRMNot stated
HQMulti-unitThe filing doesn’t saySingle-unit
The filing doesn’t say. Ask headquarters who decides.
AccountingStandards-based
HQSets standardsMulti-unitChooses what meets themSingle-unitChooses what meets them
Meet the standard, then sell to owners.Franchise agreement
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Owners keep books to headquarters’ requirements.
“you agree to establish and maintain at your own expense a bookkeeping, accounting, and recordkeeping system conforming to the requirements and formats we prescribe from time to time.”
Jimmy John'sFranchise agreement · 2026 filing
LoyaltyRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Franchise agreement
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Every location runs headquarters’ loyalty program.
“You must participate in, and comply with the requirements of, our gift card and other customer loyalty programs;”
Jimmy John'sFranchise agreement · 2026 filing
Point of sale: Signature Systems
EligibilityDesignatedObligationRequiredAgreement—Who decidesHeadquartersAdoption—
Common questions
Firehouse Subs vs Jimmy John's, answered
Firehouse Subs has 1,291 total locations and Jimmy John's has 2,777, so Jimmy John's is the larger system.
Firehouse Subs grew locations +3.6% year over year vs +3.4% for Jimmy John's, so Firehouse Subs is growing faster.
Firehouse Subs reports $974K in average unit revenue and Jimmy John's reports $1.01M, so Jimmy John's has the higher AUV.
Firehouse Subs: Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing. Jimmy John's: Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing. Percentage components alone do not establish the lower total payment.
Firehouse Subs's initial franchise fee is $20K and Jimmy John's's is $35K, so Firehouse Subs has the lower fee.
Firehouse Subs's initial investment runs $405K–$1.58M and Jimmy John's's runs $366K–$734K, so Firehouse Subs requires the larger investment.