Candlewood Suites
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Candlewood Suites franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
- Franchising since
- 1995 Source: franchise.org
- Headquarters
- Atlanta, GA United States Source: franchise.org
Candlewood Suites offers suite-style hotel accommodation with full kitchens and workspaces. Its lodging model provides weekly housekeeping and an on-site convenience store for guests preparing their own meals.
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Candlewood Suites franchise?
- The Candlewood Suites Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $15,296,866–$23,004,446 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 51). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does Candlewood Suites charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is $6 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 28). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $10 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 28). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Candlewood Suites disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Candlewood Suites FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 87). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Candlewood Suites locations are there?
- The FDD reports 407 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 90). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1Opening costs are estimated at $15,296,866 – $23,004,446 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7).
- 2Item 19 reports other measures for 298 Licensed, or owned and/or managed by Holiday or affiliate locations.
- 3Outlets grew by 23 in 2025, to 407 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Total estimated initial investment
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 51
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty — 5.5% of GSRMain ongoing fee
74 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?
One reported population. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 298 locations
- Who is counted
- Candlewood Suites Mature Hotels in the United States
- Period
- 73.8%
- Excluded
- Excluded hotels open less than two full years, with at least 10% of rooms out of order, or in default as of December 31, 2025
- Method
- Historical performance data submitted by hotels; not independently verified/audited
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025-12-31 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 90
Net +0 outlets, 2025–2025
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 2025 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 2026 Item 7 estimate ($15,296,866 – $23,004,446) vary most by market, and why?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units went from 384 to 407 in 2025. 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?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
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 (2026 FDD)
- [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 51
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record · PDF p. 87
- [3]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 90
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
47 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
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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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 and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Choice Hotels InternationalCBCourtyard By MarriottRIResidence Inn by MarriottSESonesta ES SuitesSHSonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal SonestaABApartments by Marriott BonvoyHead-to-head comparisons
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 6 · PDF p. 26 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Optional breakfast F&B training — $75–$125/attendee
“range from approximately $75 to $125 per attendee”
Note: The quoted $75–$125 per-attendee breakfast training range is not present on the cited page or the full Item 6 pages reviewed.
Item 6 · PDF p. 26 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Supplemental F&B training — $2,000–$2,200/attendee
“presently $2,000 to $2,200 per attendee”
Note: Could not confirm the quoted text on cited PDF page 26; leaving unresolved.
Item 19 · PDF p. 87 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Mature Hotels average IHG One Rewards contribution — 90.6%
“Average IHG One Rewards Contribution 4 90.6%”
Note: The 90.6% line is labeled IHG One Rewards Contribution, but footnote 4 defines Enterprise Contribution; the next loyalty section separately reports 69.2% under footnote 5. The metric label cannot be settled.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.