Franchise Facts Report → compare → Subway vs Godfather's Pizza
Subway vs Godfather's Pizza
Two quick-service restaurant franchises, compared on the numbers their own Franchise Disclosure Documents put on record — investment, fees, Item 19 earnings, outlet churn, and litigation. Not marketing copy.
| Subway | Godfather's Pizza | |
|---|---|---|
| Total initial investment FDD Item 7 | $263,000 – $630,000 | $711,450 – $1,344,340 |
| Initial franchise fee FDD Item 5 | $15,000 | $2,000 |
| Royalty FDD Item 6 | 8% | — |
| Item 19 earnings disclosed FDD Item 19 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Avg unit revenue (headline) FDD Item 19 | — | — |
| Franchised outlets FDD Item 20 | 18,773 | 592 |
| Net outlet change (latest yr) FDD Item 20 | -729 | +6 |
| Closure rate FDD Item 20 | — | — |
| Franchisee lawsuits FDD Item 3 | 57 | disclosed |
| Risk level our read | High | Medium |
| FDD year registration | 2026 | 2025 |
Are Subway and Godfather's Pizza the same company?
No — Subway and Godfather's Pizza are franchised by separate companies. Subway's franchisor is Doctor's Associates LLC; Godfather's Pizza's is GODFATHER'S PIZZA INC. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
Cost to open
Subway is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $263,000 – $630,000, against $711,450 – $1,344,340 for Godfather's Pizza.
How much does each make? (Item 19)
Neither Subway nor Godfather's Pizza makes an Item 19 financial performance representation in its most recent FDD — neither franchisor discloses what units earn. Any earnings claim you hear for either brand is not backed by the disclosure document.
Closures & failure rate
Subway reports 18,773 franchised outlets, net change -729 in the latest reported year (FDD Item 20). Godfather's Pizza reports 592 franchised outlets, net change +6 in the latest reported year (FDD Item 20). Outlet churn — closures, terminations, non-renewals — is the closest thing an FDD has to a failure rate.
Litigation
Subway discloses 57 franchisee-vs-franchisor proceedings in FDD Item 3. Godfather's Pizza discloses litigation in FDD Item 3 (each case is described there).
Deciding between Subway and Godfather's Pizza?
See what else fits before you choose. Tell us your budget and state and we'll send you the 5–10 quick-service restaurant franchises (or any industries you pick) with the strongest FDD record for it.
Subway vs Godfather's Pizza — frequently asked
Are Subway and Godfather's Pizza the same company?
No — Subway and Godfather's Pizza are franchised by separate companies. Subway's franchisor is Doctor's Associates LLC; Godfather's Pizza's is GODFATHER'S PIZZA INC. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
What is the difference between Subway and Godfather's Pizza?
Subway and Godfather's Pizza are quick-service restaurant franchises from different franchisors (Doctor's Associates LLC and GODFATHER'S PIZZA INC). Subway is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $263,000 – $630,000, against $711,450 – $1,344,340 for Godfather's Pizza. Neither Subway nor Godfather's Pizza makes an Item 19 financial performance representation in its most recent FDD — neither franchisor discloses what units earn. Any earnings claim you hear for either brand is not backed by the disclosure document.
Is Subway more profitable than Godfather's Pizza?
Neither Subway nor Godfather's Pizza makes an Item 19 financial performance representation in its most recent FDD — neither franchisor discloses what units earn. Any earnings claim you hear for either brand is not backed by the disclosure document.
Which is cheaper to open — Subway or Godfather's Pizza?
Subway is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $263,000 – $630,000, against $711,450 – $1,344,340 for Godfather's Pizza.
Is Subway or Godfather's Pizza growing faster?
Subway reports 18,773 franchised outlets, net change -729 in the latest reported year (FDD Item 20). Godfather's Pizza reports 592 franchised outlets, net change +6 in the latest reported year (FDD Item 20).
Go deeper on each brand
Quick-service restaurant rankings
Figures are as disclosed in each brand's most recent registered FDD (Subway 2026, Godfather's Pizza 2025). “—” means the FDD does not disclose it or the table did not parse cleanly — never an estimate.