Papa John's franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Papa John's franchise fee is $5,000 to $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $261,165 to $853,365, with about $80,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Papa John's FDD.
What are the Papa John's franchise fees and investment?
The Papa John's franchise requires a franchise fee of $5,000 to $25,000 and a total initial investment of $261,165 to $853,365. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $5,000 to $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $261,165 to $853,365 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $80,000 |
| US locations | 3,291 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Quick Service) |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Franchising since | 1991 |
How does the Papa John's investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Papa John's's minimum investment of $261,165 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 682 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $5,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Papa John's belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Papa John's FDD?
Verify six parts of the Papa John's Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Papa John's discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Papa John's?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Papa John's:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ | $45,000 | $260,600 to $1,068,500 |
| Rooster & Rice | $35,000 | $262,000 to $669,000 |
| Ginger Sushi + Poke Shop | $30,000 | $262,300 to $405,700 |
| T-Swirl Crepe | $35,000 | $263,400 to $496,850 |
| Mister Softee | $7,500 | $263,500 to $314,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Papa John's franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Papa John's franchise ranges from $261,165 to $853,365, including a franchise fee of $5,000 to $25,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Papa John's franchise?
Papa John's lists a minimum of about $80,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Papa John's locations are there?
Papa John's reported 3,291 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Papa John's been franchising?
Papa John's started offering franchises in 1991 after the company was founded in 1984.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Papa John's and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Papa John's. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.