Subway Franchise: Cost, Fees & Availability
Subway Franchise Facts
| Total Investment | $239K–$537K |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $15K |
| Royalty | 8% |
| Total Units | 35622 |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Franchising Since | 1974 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $100K |
| Category | Food & Beverage |
21 data points independently verified by FranchiseKI with per-field sources (last verified 2026-06-11).
Where Is Subway Available?
State-by-state availability for Subway is confirmed on inquiry.
Risk Flags From Market Research
- Red flag: Sustained US unit contraction (source: Restaurant Dive)
- Caution: Weak unit economics vs. sandwich competitors; franchisee bankruptcies (source: Restaurant Dive)
- Caution: Franchisee association disputes over discount promotions (source: Franchise Times)
- Caution: High combined ongoing fees (12.5% of gross sales) (source: BizFranHub (2025 FDD summary))
- Note: No Item 19 financial performance representation in the FDD (source: Business Ownership Guide (Subway FDD analysis))
Every flag is sourced from public market research — never editorial opinion. Brands can claim their listing to respond.
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Data is compiled from public sources (FDDs, franchisor disclosures, franchise directories) and verified where possible. Always confirm details against the brand's current FDD before investing.