Firehouse Subs vs Papa Murphy's
Two franchise systems, side by side. For a software vendor, they are not the same opportunity.
More open target
Firehouse Subs
wins 3 of 12 vendor rows
Firehouse Subs is adding units faster (3.566% vs -3.596% YoY), the stronger timing signal. Papa Murphy's carries the lighter royalty load (5.0% vs 9.0%), leaving operators more room for software spend. Verdict: too close to call on the filings alone — pick based on your category fit.
quick_service_restaurant
Firehouse Subs
quick_service_restaurant
Papa Murphy's
Total units
1,291
1,014
Franchised units
1,249
965
Unit growth YoY
3.566%
-3.596%
Average unit revenue (AUV)
$974K
—
Royalty
9%
5%
Ad fund
5%
2%
Initial franchise fee
$20K
$25K
Investment range (low)
$404K
$450K
Investment range (high)
$1.65M
$693K
Procurement model
Approved supplier
Approved supplier
FDD fiscal year
2026
2026
Filing freshness
CURRENT
CURRENT
Common questions
Firehouse Subs vs Papa Murphy's, answered
Firehouse Subs has 1,291 total units and Papa Murphy's has 1,014, so Firehouse Subs is the larger system.
Firehouse Subs grew units +3.566% year over year vs -3.596% for Papa Murphy's, so Firehouse Subs is growing faster.
Firehouse Subs charges a 9% royalty and Papa Murphy's charges 5%, so Papa Murphy's has the lower royalty.
Firehouse Subs's initial franchise fee is $20K and Papa Murphy's's is $25K, so Firehouse Subs has the lower fee.
Firehouse Subs's initial investment runs $404K–$1.65M and Papa Murphy's's runs $450K–$693K, so Firehouse Subs requires the larger investment.
See this comparison scored to your product.
The vendor edge changes depending on what you sell. Run your site and we’ll re-weight it.