Franopolis

    Best Western

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2025 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources

    SureStay Collection by Best Western® franchise offers independent hotel owners the opportunity to join a globally recognized hospitality brand while maintaining

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    Headline figures

    Best Western quick facts

    Is Best Western a franchise?
    Yes. Best Western offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2024, it reported 2 outlets in total (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 93).
    How much does it cost to open a Best Western franchise?
    The Best Western Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $577,215–$2,551,545 for conversion only (conversion—best western system hotel, 75 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 40); $666,315–$3,204,095 for conversion only (conversion—best western plus system hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 42); $6,126,015–$12,652,545 for new construction—best western system hotel, 75 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $7,790,565–$15,796,845 for new construction—best western plus system hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $956,515–$7,435,495 for conversion only (conversion—best western premier system hotel, 120 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $702,215–$5,164,845 for conversion only (conversion—@home by best western system hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $16,827,315–$25,817,595 for new construction—vīb system hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $1,654,815–$4,828,095 for conversion only (conversion—vīb system hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $708,215–$5,178,595 for conversion only (conversion—executive residency by best western system hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 50); $7,521,365–$13,501,695 for new construction—glō system hotel, 80 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 54); $1,268,615–$3,563,445 for conversion only (conversion—glō system hotel, 80 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 55); $16,995,265–$32,493,745 for new construction—best western premier system hotel, 120 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 43); $9,648,965–$19,148,845 for new construction—@home by best western system hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 46); $10,228,015–$13,773,295 for new construction—aiden system hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1); $778,015–$3,320,545 for conversion only (conversion—aiden system hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 1). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    How many Best Western locations are there?
    The FDD reports 2 outlets at the end of 2024 (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 93). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Best Western a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: no reviewed Item 19 figures are on file here, so check the FDD's Item 19 directly; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2025 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $577,215 – $2,551,545 (Conversion—Best Western System Hotel, 75 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $666,315 – $3,204,095 (Conversion—Best Western Plus System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $6,126,015 – $12,652,545 (New construction—Best Western System Hotel, 75 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $7,790,565 – $15,796,845 (New construction—Best Western Plus System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $956,515 – $7,435,495 (Conversion—Best Western Premier System Hotel, 120 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $702,215 – $5,164,845 (Conversion—@Home by Best Western System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $16,827,315 – $25,817,595 (New construction—Vīb System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $1,654,815 – $4,828,095 (Conversion—Vīb System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $708,215 – $5,178,595 (Conversion—Executive Residency by Best Western System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $7,521,365 – $13,501,695 (New construction—GLō System Hotel, 80 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $1,268,615 – $3,563,445 (Conversion—GLō System Hotel, 80 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $16,995,265 – $32,493,745 (New construction—Best Western Premier System Hotel, 120 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $9,648,965 – $19,148,845 (New construction—@Home by Best Western System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $10,228,015 – $13,773,295 (New construction—Aiden System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); $778,015 – $3,320,545 (Conversion—Aiden System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment range); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 has not been reviewed yet.
    3. 3Outlets held steady in 2024, to 2 (System-wide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Compare outlet trendsPut Item 20 counts side by side with up to 3 other brands.

    Best Western head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    Best WesternVSQuality Inn
    Compare head-to-head
    Best WesternVSComfort Inn
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    Best WesternVSCountry Inns & Suites by Raddison
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    Best WesternVSResidence Inn by Marriott
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    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 15 single-unit formats

    2025 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (15)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • Conversion—Best Western System Hotel, 75 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 40$577,215 – $2,551,545
    • Conversion—Best Western Plus System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 42$666,315 – $3,204,095
    • Conversion—@Home by Best Western System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$702,215 – $5,164,845
    • Conversion—Executive Residency by Best Western System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 50$708,215 – $5,178,595
    • Conversion—Aiden System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$778,015 – $3,320,545
    • Conversion—Best Western Premier System Hotel, 120 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$956,515 – $7,435,495
    • Conversion—GLō System Hotel, 80 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 55$1,268,615 – $3,563,445
    • Conversion—Vīb System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$1,654,815 – $4,828,095
    • New construction—Best Western System Hotel, 75 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$6,126,015 – $12,652,545
    • New construction—GLō System Hotel, 80 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 54$7,521,365 – $13,501,695
    • New construction—Best Western Plus System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$7,790,565 – $15,796,845
    • New construction—@Home by Best Western System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 46$9,648,965 – $19,148,845
    • New construction—Aiden System Hotel, 90 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$10,228,015 – $13,773,295
    • New construction—Vīb System Hotel, 100 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 1$16,827,315 – $25,817,595
    • New construction—Best Western Premier System Hotel, 120 rooms: total estimated initial investment rangePDF p. 43$16,995,265 – $32,493,745

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    114 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    No financial performance representation in Item 19

    The reviewed 2025 FDD for Best Western has no Item 19 figures on record. Franopolis does not estimate revenue or earnings in their place; ask the franchisor and current owners what unit-level information they can share.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    System-wide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2024 of each year.

    2025 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 93

    Net +0 outlets, 2022–2024

    022022220232202400

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2024 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2025 Item 7 estimate ($577,215 – $32,493,745) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Does the current FDD include an Item 19 financial performance representation?

    • Reported units went from 2 to 2 in 2024. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2025 FDD)

    1. [1]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 93

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page.

    Territory & operations

    18 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2024total assets$816,099
    2024total current liabilities$228,139
    2024total net assets$299,727
    2024total revenues$520,942
    2024cash and cash equivalents$162,790
    2024total current assets$285,066
    2024total liabilities$516,372
    2024excess of revenues over expenses attributable to best western international, inc.$65,388
    2024net cash provided by operating activities$65,101
    2024net cash used in investing activities-$62,803
    2024cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$174,639
    2024total expenses$488,712

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

    Loading…

    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Quality InnComfort InnCountry Inns & Suites by RaddisonResidence Inn by MarriottRed Roof Inn / Red Roof PlusRed Roof Inn

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Best Western vs Quality InnBest Western vs Comfort InnBest Western vs Country Inns & Suites by RaddisonBest Western vs Residence Inn by MarriottBest Western vs Red Roof Inn / Red Roof PlusBest Western vs Red Roof Inn
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Reader notes on wording

    Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.

    • Item 12 · PDF p. 77 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Exclusive territory: No for a converted existing hotel; Qualified Hotels receive exclusive territory for System Hotels subject to the stated rules and exceptions.

      “You will not receive an exclusive territory. ... If you are a “Qualified Hotel,” you will receive an exclusive territory with respect to System Hotels.”

      Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 148 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period (2023)

      “CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 173,353”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 178 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total revenues (year ended November 30, 2022)

      “TOTAL REVENUES 493,880”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period (year ended November 30, 2022)

      “CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD $ 250,515”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 144 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total assets (2023)

      “TOTAL ASSETS $ 733,837”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 177 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total assets (November 30, 2022)

      “TOTAL ASSETS $ 651,515”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 180 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Net cash provided by operating activities (year ended November 30, 2022)

      “NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 102,770”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 145 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total expenses (2023)

      “TOTAL EXPENSES 444,642”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 144 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total liabilities (2023)

      “TOTAL LIABILITIES 502,000”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 145 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total revenues (2023)

      “TOTAL REVENUES 534,398”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 144 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total net assets (2023)

      “TOTAL NET ASSETS 231,837”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 178 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total expenses (year ended November 30, 2022)

      “TOTAL EXPENSES 389,711”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 144 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total current assets (2023)

      “TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 278,915”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 144 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total current liabilities (2023)

      “TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 226,611”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 147 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Net cash used in investing activities (2023)

      “NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (180,515)”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 145 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Excess of revenues over expenses attributable to Best Western International, Inc. (2023)

      “EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC. $ 89,319”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 144 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Cash and cash equivalents (November 30, 2023)

      “Cash and cash equivalents $ 161,159”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 177 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total liabilities (November 30, 2022)

      “TOTAL LIABILITIES 504,772”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 178 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Excess of revenues over expenses attributable to Best Western International, Inc. (year ended November 30, 2022)

      “EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC. $ 88,079”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 177 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total net assets (November 30, 2022)

      “TOTAL NET ASSETS 146,743”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 147 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Net cash provided by operating activities (2023)

      “NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 102,477”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.

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