Comfort Inn
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Comfort Inn franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
- Franchising since
- 1981 Source: franchise.org
- Headquarters
- Rockville, MD United States Source: franchise.org
Comfort Inn is the largest Choice Hotels brand and is one of the industry’s most recognized brands. It offers our owners and developers a strong potential return on investment and continued growth through the enduring equity of our flagship brand and the low development and operating cost models.
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Comfort Inn franchise?
- The Comfort Inn Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $41,691 for conversion only (conversion total cost per room high based on 80 rooms) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 49); $822,951–$3,335,295 for conversion only (conversion total initial investment low) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 49); $10,287–$41,691 for conversion only (conversion total cost per room low based on 80 rooms) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 49); $16,302,115 for comfort inn new construction total investment high (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 52); $183,170 for comfort inn new construction total cost per room high based on 89 rooms (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 52); $11,478,095–$18,328,875 for comfort suites new construction total investment low (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 56); $18,328,875 for comfort suites new construction total investment high (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 56); $128,967–$205,942 for comfort suites new construction total cost per room low based on 89 rooms (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 56); $205,942 for comfort suites new construction total cost per room high based on 89 rooms (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 56); $3,335,295 for conversion only (conversion total initial investment high) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 49); $10,318,405–$16,302,115 for comfort inn new construction total investment low (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 52); $115,937–$183,170 for comfort inn new construction total cost per room low based on 89 rooms (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 52). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does Comfort Inn charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is $6 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 33). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $10 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 34). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Comfort Inn disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Comfort Inn FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 91). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Comfort Inn locations are there?
- The FDD reports 1,643 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 95). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $41,691 (Conversion total cost per room high based on 80 rooms); $822,951 – $3,335,295 (Conversion total initial investment low); $10,287 – $41,691 (Conversion total cost per room low based on 80 rooms); $16,302,115 (Comfort Inn new construction total investment high); $183,170 (Comfort Inn new construction total cost per room high based on 89 rooms); $11,478,095 – $18,328,875 (Comfort Suites new construction total investment low); $18,328,875 (Comfort Suites new construction total investment high); $128,967 – $205,942 (Comfort Suites new construction total cost per room low based on 89 rooms); $205,942 (Comfort Suites new construction total cost per room high based on 89 rooms); $3,335,295 (Conversion total initial investment high); $10,318,405 – $16,302,115 (Comfort Inn new construction total investment low); $115,937 – $183,170 (Comfort Inn new construction total cost per room low based on 89 rooms); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 5 separate groups: other measures for 1,581 locations; other measures for 1,042 locations; other measures for 539 locations; other measures for 786 locations; other measures for 67 locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 20 in 2025, to 1,643 (Systemwide, COMFORT INN, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and COMFORT SUITES, 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
Range across 12 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (12)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Conversion total cost per room low based on 80 roomsPDF p. 49$10,287 – $41,691
- Conversion total cost per room high based on 80 roomsPDF p. 49$41,691
- Comfort Inn new construction total cost per room low based on 89 roomsPDF p. 52$115,937 – $183,170
- Comfort Suites new construction total cost per room low based on 89 roomsPDF p. 56$128,967 – $205,942
- Comfort Inn new construction total cost per room high based on 89 roomsPDF p. 52$183,170
- Comfort Suites new construction total cost per room high based on 89 roomsPDF p. 56$205,942
- Conversion total initial investment lowPDF p. 49$822,951 – $3,335,295
- Conversion total initial investment highPDF p. 49$3,335,295
- Comfort Inn new construction total investment lowPDF p. 52$10,318,405 – $16,302,115
- Comfort Suites new construction total investment lowPDF p. 56$11,478,095 – $18,328,875
- Comfort Inn new construction total investment highPDF p. 52$16,302,115
- Comfort Suites new construction total investment highPDF p. 56$18,328,875
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty fee rateMain ongoing fee
124 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?
5 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 1,581 locations
- Who is counted
- All COMFORT hotels open and operating in the United States as of December 31, 2025 (1,643); the Performance Sample includes hotels franchised by Choice and operating on or before January 1, 2025.
- Period
- Average Daily Rate (Average), year ended December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Excluded hotels that repositioned from another Choice brand to COMFORT during 2025; had incomplete performance numbers for at least 30 days during 2025; or experienced an interruption in operations of more than 30 consecutive days during 2025.
- Method
- Table 1 or 2 historical performance representation; population and sample described in Item 19.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 1,042 locations
- Who is counted
- COMFORT INN and COMFORT INN & SUITES hotels in the Table 2 Performance Sample, franchised by Choice and operating on or before January 1, 2025.
- Period
- Average Occupancy Rate (Average), year ended December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Excluded hotels that repositioned from another Choice brand to COMFORT during 2025; had incomplete performance numbers for at least 30 days during 2025; or experienced an interruption in operations of more than 30 consecutive days during 2025.
- Method
- Table 1 or 2 historical performance representation; population and sample described in Item 19.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 539 locations
- Who is counted
- COMFORT SUITES hotels in the Table 3 Performance Sample, franchised by Choice and operating on or before January 1, 2025.
- Period
- Average Occupancy Rate (Hotels Meeting or Exceeding Average: Percent), year ended December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Excluded hotels that repositioned from another Choice brand to COMFORT during 2025; had incomplete performance numbers for at least 30 days during 2025; or experienced an interruption in operations of more than 30 consecutive days during 2025.
- Method
- Item 19 historical performance table.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 786 locations
- Who is counted
- COMFORT INN, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and COMFORT SUITES hotels in the Performance Sample with a Likelihood to Recommend score above the brand average.
- Period
- Total Choice Enterprise Contribution (Low), year ended December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Excluded hotels that repositioned from another Choice brand to COMFORT during 2025; had incomplete performance numbers for at least 30 days during 2025; or experienced an interruption in operations of more than 30 consecutive days during 2025.
- Method
- Item 19 historical performance table.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 67 locations
- Who is counted
- COMFORT INN, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and COMFORT SUITES hotels in the Performance Sample developed under the Rise & Shine prototype.
- Period
- Average Occupancy Rate (Hotels Meeting or Exceeding Average: Count), year ended December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Excluded hotels that repositioned from another Choice brand to COMFORT during 2025; had incomplete performance numbers for at least 30 days during 2025; or experienced an interruption in operations of more than 30 consecutive days during 2025.
- Method
- Item 19 historical performance table.
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Systemwide, COMFORT INN, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and COMFORT SUITES, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of ed 2 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 95
Net −21 outlets, 2023–2025
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 ($10,287 – $18,328,875) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units decreased from 1,663 to 1,643 in 2025. What drove the change?
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]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All COMFORT hotels open and operating in the United States as of December 31, 2… · PDF p. 91
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — COMFORT INN and COMFORT INN & SUITES hotels in the Table 2 Performance Sample,… · PDF p. 91
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — COMFORT SUITES hotels in the Table 3 Performance Sample, franchised by Choice a… · PDF p. 92
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — COMFORT INN, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and COMFORT SUITES hotels in the Performance… · PDF p. 93
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — COMFORT INN, COMFORT INN & SUITES, and COMFORT SUITES hotels in the Performance… · PDF p. 93
- [6]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 95
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page.
Territory & operations
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
| Fiscal year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | total revenues | $1,596,793 |
| 2025 | net income | $369,946 |
| 2025 | total current assets | $405,998 |
| 2025 | total operating expenses | $1,148,394 |
| 2025 | operating income | $448,399 |
| 2025 | income before income taxes | $456,891 |
| 2025 | total assets | $2,918,203 |
| 2025 | diluted earnings per share | $8 |
| 2025 | total shareholders' equity | $181,229 |
| 2025 | comprehensive income | $370,832 |
| 2025 | cash and cash equivalents | $44,997 |
| 2025 | long-term debt | $1,906,122 |
| 2025 | total liabilities | $2,736,974 |
| 2025 | net cash provided by operating activities | $270,447 |
| 2025 | net cash used in investing activities | -$218,264 |
| 2025 | net cash used in financing activities | -$50,103 |
| 2025 | cash and cash equivalents end of period | $44,997 |
| 2024 | operating income | $463,773 |
| 2024 | total revenues | $1,584,839 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents | $40,177 |
| 2024 | diluted earnings per share | $6 |
| 2024 | total current assets | $339,086 |
| 2024 | total operating expenses | $1,121,066 |
| 2024 | income before income taxes | $395,645 |
| 2024 | net income | $299,665 |
| 2024 | comprehensive income | $299,143 |
| 2024 | total assets | $2,530,527 |
| 2024 | long-term debt | $1,768,526 |
| 2024 | total liabilities | $2,575,798 |
| 2024 | total shareholders' equity | -$45,271 |
| 2024 | net cash provided by operating activities | $319,403 |
| 2024 | net cash used in investing activities | -$84,571 |
| 2024 | net cash used in financing activities | -$221,710 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents end of period | $40,177 |
| 2023 | diluted earnings per share | $5 |
| 2023 | total revenues | $1,544,165 |
| 2023 | net income | $258,507 |
| 2023 | income before income taxes | $336,956 |
| 2023 | total operating expenses | $1,165,401 |
| 2023 | operating income | $375,028 |
| 2023 | comprehensive income | $258,047 |
| 2023 | net cash provided by operating activities | $296,554 |
| 2023 | net cash used in investing activities | -$265,626 |
| 2023 | net cash used in financing activities | -$45,937 |
| 2023 | cash and cash equivalents end of period | $26,754 |
These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.
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.
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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
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.