Subway Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
18,773 locations (2025), -3.7% YoY(Item 20)
A Subway franchise requires an estimated total investment of $263,000 to $630,000, including a $1,000 initial franchise fee (latest FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 8% (Item 6). Subway does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD.
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Initial Investment
$263,000 – $630,000
Source: FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$1,000
Source: FDD, Item 5
Royalty
8%
Source: FDD, Item 6
Subway Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $263,000 – $630,000Source: FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $1,000 – $15,000Source: FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 8%Source: FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | Subway does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD.Source: Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 18,773 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Subway Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$1,000 – $15,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
8%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
4.5%
Technology fee(Item 6)
$900/mo
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$75,000 – $250,000
Additional Item 5–6 fees (transfer, renewal, area development, and any veteran discounts) are not yet parsed on Franchable — see the brand's FDD for the full fee schedule.
About Subway
Subway is a global quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in made-to-order sandwiches, salads, wraps, and other food items. Franchisees operate retail establishments preparing and selling foot-long, six-inch, flatbread, and specialty sandwiches with a variety of breads, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments, along with breakfast items and catering services.
What Subway's FDD Discloses
In 2025, Subway's franchised system recorded 499 franchised openings, 1,076 closures (Item 20).
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
Subway vs Competitors
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Subway Franchise FAQ
How much does a Subway franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the latest Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $263,000 to $630,000.
What is the Subway franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $1,000 to $15,000.
What royalty does Subway charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 8%.
How much does a Subway franchise owner make?
Subway does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD, so a reliable owner-income figure isn't available from its filing. Ask the franchisor for validation contacts and review the full FDD before relying on any earnings estimate.
Can I finance a Subway franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by Subway. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.