How Much Does a Jimmy John’s Franchise Owner Make?
Jimmy John’s franchise owners earn approximately $100,000–$140,000 annually per location based on a 2025 FDD Item 19 average AUV of $986,095 and operating margins of 10–14% after Jimmy John’s 10.5% combined royalty and advertising fee. Jimmy John’s is owned by Inspire Brands (same parent as Sonic, Arby’s, Dunkin’, and Buffalo Wild Wings) and has a delivery-forward model built on speed — the brand’s “Freaky Fast” positioning drives high ticket frequency in office and college markets. AUV has grown nearly 30% since 2020 ($766K to $986K), reflecting continued brand momentum.
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy John’s franchise owners earn approximately $100,000–$140,000 annually based on FDD income data
- AUV of $986,095
- 6% royalty plus advertising fund fees
- Always validate income estimates with current FDD Item 19 data and franchisee contacts
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Jimmy John’s Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average AUV (FDD Item 19, 2024) | $986,095 |
| Median AUV | $935,022 |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes — avg, median, high, low |
| Estimated Owner Income | $100K–$140K per store |
| Royalty Rate | 6% of gross sales |
| Ad Fund | 4.5% of gross sales |
| Total Fee Burden | 10.5% |
| Initial Investment | $366K–$728K |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Food Cost % | ~19% (low vs QSR peers) |
| US Locations | ~2,689 |
| Avg Payback Period | 4–6 years |
How Much Does a Jimmy John’s Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
Jimmy John’s 2025 FDD Item 19 discloses AUV data for 2,529 franchised restaurants, with an average of $986,095 and a median of $935,022. One source cites a $280,000 net profit figure for average stores — however, this appears to reflect gross profit before operating costs rather than true net owner income. Applying industry-standard sandwich QSR cost structure to the disclosed AUV:
| AUV Tier | Est. Net Margin (10–14%) | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $766K (2020 avg — baseline) | 10% | ~$77K |
| $935K (median FDD) | 10–12% | $94K–$112K |
| $986K (average FDD) | 10–14% | $99K–$138K |
| $1.2M (strong location) | 12–15% | $144K–$180K |
Methodology: Jimmy John’s 2025 FDD Item 19 AUV data for 2,529 qualifying franchised restaurants. 10–14% net margin applied after 10.5% royalty+ad, ~19% COGS (Jimmy John’s food cost advantage), ~28% labor, and ~8% occupancy. Jimmy John’s food cost of ~19% is meaningfully below QSR peers (~28–32%), which partially offsets the 10.5% fee burden. Always consult the current FDD.
How Much Does a Jimmy John’s Franchise Owner Make Per Month?
At the FDD average AUV of $986K and estimated annual income of $99K–$138K, a Jimmy John’s franchise owner earns approximately $8,250–$11,500 per month before taxes and debt service. High-volume locations in dense office or college corridors can reach $12,000–$15,000 monthly.
What Factors Affect Jimmy John’s Franchise Owner Income?
- Office/college corridor positioning: Jimmy John’s “Freaky Fast” delivery model excels in dense weekday lunch markets — office parks and college campuses deliver consistent high-volume catering and delivery orders
- Food cost advantage: ~19% food cost vs. 28–32% for most QSR — the simple, ingredient-efficient menu is a real margin driver that partially offsets the 10.5% fee burden
- AUV growth trajectory: AUV has grown 29% since 2020 ($766K → $986K) — new units benefit from a rising baseline
- Catering revenue: Office catering adds significant incremental revenue with low marginal cost — operators who build catering accounts see measurably higher AUV
- Inspire Brands infrastructure: Shared services with Sonic, Dunkin’, and Arby’s provides technology, supply chain, and analytics advantages over independent operators
How Does Jimmy John’s Compare to Similar Franchises?
| Brand | AUV | Total Fees | Investment | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy John’s | $986K (avg) | 10.5% | $366K–$728K | $100K–$140K |
| Jersey Mike’s | $1.367M | 11.5% | $182K–$1.41M | $120K–$200K |
| Subway | ~$490K (est.) | 12.5% | $239K–$537K | $35K–$100K |
| Firehouse Subs | ~$1.0M | ~10.5% | $400K–$900K | $80K–$160K |
Jimmy John’s AUV of $986K significantly outpaces Subway’s estimated $490K with a comparable investment threshold. Jersey Mike’s leads the sandwich segment at $1.367M AUV, but Jimmy John’s lower food cost and delivery-forward model create competitive differentiation. For full FDD cost and disclosure data on Jimmy John’s, visit FranchisePayback.com.
How to Fund a Jimmy John’s Franchise
Jimmy John’s $366K–$728K investment range is accessible for first-time operators. SBA 7(a) loans are the most common vehicle; Jimmy John’s has a reasonable SBA default rate and strong lender recognition. The brand does not offer in-house financing but works with preferred lenders. ROBS structures are viable for operators with $200K+ in qualified retirement savings. See SharpSheets’ financial model hub for SBA templates.
→ Download the SBA Franchise Business Plan Template →
Frequently Asked Questions About Jimmy John’s Franchise Owner Income
What is a Jimmy John’s franchise owner’s average income?
Based on Jimmy John’s 2025 FDD Item 19 average AUV of $986,095 and industry-standard sandwich QSR net margins of 10–14%, a typical Jimmy John’s franchise owner earns approximately $100,000–$140,000 annually per location. High-volume office and college corridor locations can earn $150,000–$180,000.
Does Jimmy John’s disclose Item 19 earnings?
Yes — Jimmy John’s 2025 FDD Item 19 discloses average ($986,095) and median ($935,022) AUV for 2,529 franchised restaurants in 2024. Net income is not directly disclosed; income estimates require applying cost benchmarks to the disclosed revenue figures.
Is Jimmy John’s a good franchise investment?
Jimmy John’s is a solid franchise for operators targeting office and college markets with a delivery-forward model. The ~19% food cost is the brand’s structural advantage over peers. The 10.5% combined fee burden is moderate. AUV growth of 29% since 2020 reflects momentum. Jersey Mike’s offers higher AUV in a similar investment range — but Jimmy John’s lower food cost and delivery infrastructure differentiate it meaningfully in the right market context.
What is the payback period for a Jimmy John’s franchise?
At $366K–$728K investment and $100K–$140K in estimated annual owner income, the payback period for a Jimmy John’s franchise is approximately 4–6 years for well-positioned locations. Breakeven is typically achieved within 12–18 months per FDD disclosures.
Where can I find Jimmy John’s FDD and full cost data?
Full FDD data, investment breakdowns, and franchise disclosure details for Jimmy John’s are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line: Is a Jimmy John’s Franchise Worth It?
Jimmy John’s is a delivery-efficient, food-cost-advantaged sandwich franchise with real momentum. At $986K average AUV and ~19% food cost, the unit economics work — especially for operators who can build corporate catering accounts. The 10.5% fee burden and Inspire Brands integration make it a scale play; single-unit operators in lower-density markets may find the AUV insufficient to generate strong personal income. Best for office-district and college-campus markets where delivery frequency and catering drive AUV above the system average.
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— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026