2026 FDD Issued Mar 26, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Previous source check Oct 16, 2026
Jimmy John's Franchise Cost (2026)
A Jimmy John's franchise costs an estimated $366,200 – $733,500 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $35,000 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Traditional Location. Item 6 lists royalty: 6% of Gross Sales, subject to the conditions below. This record has unresolved source-review issues.
Read the source-review hold before using these figures.
- Total investment
- $366K – $734KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $35KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 6% of Gross SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 4.5% of Gross SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Liquid capital
- $200KFranchisor website, checked October 29, 2026
- Net worth
- $1MFranchisor website, checked October 29, 2026
What stands out about Jimmy John's
The all-restaurants sales sample includes traditional and non-traditional locations. Calling the entire sample traditional would misstate its scope. Item 19 also reports results by restaurant type and describes long operating tenure, so the overall average is not a forecast for a new delivery-and-carryout location.
The investment table distinguishes new traditional and non-traditional construction and excludes property purchase costs. An acquisition of an operating restaurant is negotiated separately and may have different upgrade costs. The annual restaurant sales table does not supply that acquisition price or the buyer’s resulting payback.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for Jimmy John's?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $35,000 for Jimmy John's. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
These minimums come from the franchisor’s website, not from the FDD, and can change: Jimmy John's franchise page (checked October 29, 2026).
Item 5 (PDF pages 32-34) sets the initial franchise fee at $35,000 for a standard traditional restaurant, paid in full when the Franchise Agreement is signed. Reopening a traditional restaurant closed within the last year costs $12,500, or $5,000 for an existing franchisee in good standing; a Non-Traditional Location costs $17,500, or $1,750 for each full or partial year of the term up to ten years. A Development Agreement requires $10,000 per scheduled restaurant, with the balance of each initial fee due when its Franchise Agreement is signed. Initial management training for two people has no tuition; additional trainees currently cost $1,000 per week and District Manager training $2,000. Cancelling the no-cost training costs $750 per person more than two weeks ahead or $1,500 within two weeks. Optional site and kitchen layout design fees are $1,200 each for a new restaurant. Initial fees are fully earned when paid and not refundable.
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 32.
How much does it cost to open a Jimmy John's franchise? (Item 7)
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 48.
Item 7 of Jimmy John's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one traditional location at $366,200 – $733,500. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Real Estate / Rent (1 month) | $2,500 | $8,000 |
| Security Deposit | $2,500 | $8,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $115,000 | $310,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Signage, and Equipment (including Computer/POS) | $120,000 | $215,000 |
| Architect / Design Services | $9,500 | $22,000 |
| Office Equipment | $2,200 | $2,500 |
| Utility Deposits | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Opening Inventory and Supplies | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Grand Opening Event | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Training Expenses | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| Insurance | $11,500 | $20,000 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 months | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Total | $366,200 | $733,500 |
Other formats
| Format | Total investment |
|---|---|
| Non-Traditional Location | $206,200 – $686,000 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 25 restaurants & food records without a source-review hold is $1,297,100.
Item 7 (PDF pages 48-49) estimates a new Traditional Location at $366,200-$733,500 and a Non-Traditional Location at $206,200-$686,000, excluding real-estate purchase costs. The table lists Traditional leasehold improvements of $115,000-$310,000, combined furniture/fixtures/signage/equipment of $120,000-$215,000 and three-month additional funds of $50,000-$75,000. Acquisition prices of existing restaurants are not estimated by this table.
What ongoing royalties and fees does Jimmy John's charge? (Item 6)
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 35.
Item 6 of Jimmy John's 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 6% of Gross Sales | Every period | 6% of weekly Gross Sales, due each Wednesday for the week ending Tuesday; Gross Sales is defined on PDF page 35. Item 6 note 2 (PDF pages 40-47) describes royalty incentives, including royalty credits of $125,000 (Standard Markets) or $175,000 (Strategic Markets) per qualifying new restaurant, a 0% royalty for up to six months for early openings, VetFran credits of $10,000 per restaurant up to $100,000, and reduced rates after drive-thru remodels or relocations and for certain multi-brand and campus restaurants. (Item 6, PDF p. 35) |
| Advertising and Development Fund | 4.5% of Gross Sales | Every period | Up to 4.5% of weekly Gross Sales (currently the full 4.5%), or 2.25% for Non-Traditional Locations, due with the royalty. Some incentive programs reduce the contribution. (Item 6, PDF p. 35) |
| Cooperative Advertising Programs | 0% – 2% of Gross Sales | When it applies | Up to 2% of Gross Sales, as a cooperative program directs. Co-ops include restaurants in the market operated by the franchisor and its affiliates. (Item 6, PDF p. 35) |
| Local Marketing | 0.5% of Gross Sales | When it applies | Item 6 note 5 (PDF page 47) requires spending 0.5% of weekly Gross Sales on local marketing in addition to the advertising obligations above. This is a spending requirement, not a payment to the franchisor. A grand opening event of $3,000-$5,000 is recommended. (Item 6, PDF p. 47) |
| Successor Franchise | $10,000 | When it applies | When acquiring a successor franchise after the initial term expires. (Item 6, PDF p. 35) |
| Site Design and Kitchen Layout Design Fees | Varies | When it applies | Currently $1,200 for a preliminary site layout and $750 for a preliminary kitchen layout when remodeling, if the franchisee asks the franchisor's affiliate to prepare them; site layouts are offered only for restaurants with a drive-thru. The fees may rise with the affiliate's costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 36) |
| Certified Management Training for New, Additional or Repeat Trainees | Varies | When it applies | Currently $1,000, or $4,000 for an expelled trainee who re-attends; the franchisor may raise the fee up to $5,000. Initial training for two people is included. (Item 6, PDF p. 36) |
| New Training and Additional Guidance or Support | Varies | When it applies | Currently $400 per person per day plus expenses at the franchisor's location, or $600 per person per day plus expenses at the restaurant; the franchisor may raise the daily fee up to $1,000. (Item 6, PDF p. 36) |
| District Manager Training | Varies | When it applies | Currently $2,000; the franchisor may raise the fee up to $5,000. (Item 6, PDF p. 36) |
| Controlling Ownership Interest Transfer | Varies | When it applies | $12,500 if the buyer is not an existing franchisee that has operated a restaurant for a full year, $7,500 if it is, and $2,500 for a transfer to an immediate family member; no charge for a transfer to an entity the franchisee controls. Half is due, non-refundable, with the request and the balance before the transfer closes (PDF pages 36-37). The fee may be waived or reduced for distressed restaurants. (Item 6, PDF p. 36) |
| Non-Controlling Ownership Interest Transfer | $1,000 | When it applies | Before the proposed effective date of a transfer of a non-controlling ownership interest. (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Product and Service Purchases | Varies | When it applies | Prices for products and services bought from the franchisor, its affiliates, approved vendors or other suppliers; see Item 8. (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Testing | Varies | When it applies | Cost of testing new products or inspecting new suppliers the franchisee proposes. (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Relocation | Varies | When it applies | $2,500 plus costs and expenses if the franchisee wishes to relocate the restaurant. (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Computer Systems, Maintenance and Support | Varies | When it applies | Cost of system support, development and software upgrades the franchisor or its affiliates may provide in the future; not currently provided. (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Franchisee Convention | Varies | When it applies | Up to $500 for each franchisee convention, plus travel and living expenses; the fee may rise with conference costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Regional Advisory Council | Varies | When it applies | Assessments levied by the designated regional franchisee council, which the franchisor may enforce; amounts vary by council (Item 6 note 6). (Item 6, PDF p. 37) |
| Audit | Varies | When it applies | Cost of an on-site examination if reports are not submitted on time or royalties or fund contributions are understated by more than 3% for the audit period; due 15 days after the report. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Interest | Varies | When it applies | The lesser of 1.5% per month or the highest commercial contract rate the law allows, on amounts more than 7 days late. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Non-Approved Restaurant Opening | Varies | When it applies | $2,500 for each day the restaurant is open for business without approval. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Non-Compliance | Varies | When it applies | At the franchisor's option, $250 per deviation from operational requirements or Brand Standards, $500 for a first repeat and $1,000 for each later repeat found on consecutive visits, as compensation for administrative and management costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Unauthorized Advertising Fee | $1,000 | When it applies | Per occurrence of using unapproved advertising or marketing materials. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Late Fee | Varies | When it applies | 10% of the original amount due but not paid on time, for each late payment. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Confidential Operations Manual | $500 | When it applies | Charge for a replacement copy. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Management Fee | Varies | When it applies | Unless the franchisee is a Sophisticated Franchisee (Item 6 note 7), $600 per person per day plus costs and expenses when the franchisor, an affiliate or a third party manages the restaurant after the Operations Partner's death or disability or after the franchisee's default or abandonment. (Item 6, PDF p. 38) |
| Costs and Attorneys' Fees | Varies | When it applies | Varies with the nature of the franchisee's non-compliance with the Franchise Agreement. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| Indemnification | Varies | When it applies | Reimbursement if the franchisor or its affiliates are held liable for, or incur costs defending, claims from the restaurant's operation. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| Liquidated Damages | Varies | When it applies | If the franchisor terminates for cause or the franchisee terminates without cause: average monthly royalties for the prior 12 full months multiplied by the lesser of 36 or the months left in the term (Item 6 note 8, PDF page 47). (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| Maintenance Cost Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | $600 per day plus costs and expenses if the franchisor or its designee corrects a sub-standard appearance or condition the franchisee does not fix when required. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| Customer Complaint Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | Out-of-pocket cost if the franchisor or its designee resolves a customer complaint the franchisee does not resolve. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| Insurance Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | Out-of-pocket cost if the franchisor or its designee obtains required insurance the franchisee failed to obtain or maintain. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| Tax Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | Out-of-pocket cost of taxes the franchisor must pay to a state taxing authority because of the franchisee's operation or payments, except certain income-related taxes. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
| De-identification Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | Out-of-pocket cost if the franchisor or its designee de-brands the restaurant after the franchise ends because the franchisee does not. (Item 6, PDF p. 39) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
This fee schedule cannot be reduced to the calculator’s simple sales-based formula. Enter your own assumptions and check them against the Item 6 terms.
Jimmy John's startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
A source check placed this record on review hold. Automatic fee estimates are withheld until the outstanding issues are resolved. The earlier source-check date does not clear this hold. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: Jimmy John's franchised outlet history
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 97.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 2,737 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 40 outlets.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,597 | 58 | 53 | 2,602 | — |
| 2024 | 2,602 | 88 | 43 | 2,647 | — |
| 2025 | 2,647 | 123 | 33 | 2,737 | — |
Calculated outlet totals, net growth and exit rates are withheld because this record has not cleared the current Item 20 source checks. The table retains the outlet counts printed in Item 20. Read the unresolved source issues.
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables.
124 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Table 3 (PDF pages 94-97) prints national totals on PDF page 97, ending 2023 with 2,602 franchised outlets; Table 1 (PDF page 91) prints 2,604 for that year end and the 2024 start. Company-owned counts come from Table 4 (PDF page 97), which prints 42, 42 and 40 at the 2023-2025 year ends; Table 1 prints 40, 42 and 40. The table on this page keeps the Table 3 and Table 4 figures. Transfers come from Table 2 (PDF pages 91-93).
How much do Jimmy John's franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 89.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports average gross sales for franchised restaurants in the included sample of $1,007,437 (Fiscal 2025 (December 30, 2024-December 28, 2025), 2,581 included franchised restaurants: 2,556 traditional and 25 non-traditional; quartile or extreme row as labeled). Jimmy John's Item 19 reports sales but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
Read the source-review hold before using this figure.
See every Jimmy John's Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Payback calculator (enter your own assumptions) Check any inputs against this record’s Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How to interpret Jimmy John's Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the Jimmy John's franchise agreement term?
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 84.
The standard Jimmy John's franchise agreement runs 10 years, with renewal terms of 10 years.
Item 17 (PDF page 84): 10 years from the day the restaurant first opens. A franchisee in full compliance may acquire one successor franchise on then-current terms for up to 10 years.
How long does it take to open a Jimmy John's franchise? (Item 11)
Source: Jimmy John's 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 62.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the franchise agreement and paying the initial franchise fee to opening: 9 to 12 months.
Compare Jimmy John's with other franchises
Head-to-head FDD cost, fee, and earnings comparisons:
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to Jimmy John's $366,200 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Restaurants & Food. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
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Frequently Asked Questions about Jimmy John's
This record has unresolved source-review issues. Read the specific issues before using these answers.
- How much does it cost to open a Jimmy John's restaurant?
- Item 7 of the 2026 FDD estimates $366,200 – $733,500 for a new traditional restaurant, excluding real estate purchase costs. Non-traditional locations have a separate estimate, and leasehold improvements are the widest line in both.
- What ongoing fees does Jimmy John's charge?
- Item 6 lists a royalty of 6% of Gross Sales and an advertising fund contribution of 4.5% of Gross Sales, both paid weekly. Owners must also spend a share of sales on local marketing, and a regional co-op can require an additional contribution.
- How long is a Jimmy John's franchise agreement?
- The franchise agreement runs 10 years from the day the restaurant opens. Item 17 allows one successor franchise on the terms then being offered.
- What does Jimmy John's report in Item 19?
- Item 19 reports an average annual unit volume of $1,007,437 for the included franchised restaurants in fiscal 2026. Item 19 says those restaurants had operated for many years on average, so the figure is not a forecast for a new restaurant.
Sources
JIMMY JOHN'S FRANCHISOR SPV, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued March 26, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 32
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 35
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 48
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 88
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 97
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 84
Page references for Jimmy John's use the PDF viewer's digital page count, not printed page headers. Some viewers download the document instead of opening the referenced page.
If the state document viewer does not open, use Minnesota Commerce's public filing instructions to look up the filing by franchisor name and document date.
Document & verification changelog
- October 29, 2026: Record updated.
- October 23, 2026: Source review hold recorded. Unresolved corrections are listed in this source section.
- October 23, 2026: Complete source recheck against the March 26, 2026 FDD: cover, Item 1, Item 5, all 33 Item 6 rows and notes (PDF pages 35-47), every Item 7 row and total, Item 17, Item 19 and Item 20 Tables 1-4. Replaced the Item 6 schedule, which had omitted or misstated most rows; set the standard initial fee; removed an unsourced franchising start year; corrected the Item 20 page. The hold remains for the printed Item 20 conflicts described in the source section.
- October 19, 2026: Source review hold recorded: The October 19 audit corrected conflicting Item 7 prose, selected financial-performance labels and PDF references. The fee schedule and remaining record sections still require a complete source recheck; the historical source-check date is not renewed by these targeted corrections.
- October 16, 2026: Previous source check recorded. The later source review hold below supersedes its clearance.
- October 16, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued March 26, 2026).