Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts franchise brings Jimmy Buffett's iconic tropical lifestyle brand to the hospitality industry through resort and hotel properties
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts franchise?
- The Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $22,114,750 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 40). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 2) — 5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 20). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $33 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 30). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 73). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts locations are there?
- The FDD reports 38 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 75). 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 $22,114,750 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 3 separate groups: other measures for 17 Franchised locations; other measures for 17 Franchised locations; other measures for 17 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets grew by 2 in 2025, to 38 (Franchised, 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. 40
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- OTHER FEES Type of Fee Amount Due Date Remarks Royalty FeeMain ongoing fee
134 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?
3 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 17 locations
- Who is counted
- 17 of19 fullyoperational>=18months US hotels supplying STR
- Excluded
- Opened2025 or <18months excluded;RevPARexcludesFBR,brandedmerchandise,amenities.
- Method
- STR;index relative competitiveSTARset100=fairshare; sourceaboveaveragepercentage denominator not recomputed.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 17 locations
- Who is counted
- 17of19 reportingdirectchanneldata
- Excluded
- Two no relevant data
- Method
- Reservation distribution;wholesale bulk/netpackages
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 17 locations
- Who is counted
- 17of19 reportingindirectchanneldata
- Excluded
- Two no relevant data
- Method
- Reservation distribution;wholesale bulk/netpackages
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Franchised, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 75
Net +2 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 ($22,114,750) 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 went from 36 to 38 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. 40
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 17 of19 fullyoperational>=18months US hotels supplying STR · PDF p. 73
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 17of19 reportingdirectchanneldata · PDF p. 74
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 17of19 reportingindirectchanneldata · PDF p. 74; PDF p. 75
- [5]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 75
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
28 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 year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | liabilities & equity current liabilities accounts payable and accrued expenses | $7,308,354 |
| 2026 | property and equipment, net | $3,733,441 |
| 2026 | short term contract assets | $243,521 |
| 2026 | other non current assets | $1,736,067 |
| 2026 | contract assets, less current portion | $1,859,340 |
| 2026 | deferred revenue, less current portion | $3,493,575 |
| 2026 | deferred revenue | $5,141,570 |
| 2026 | total revenues | $20,561,836 |
| 2026 | prepaid and other assets | $2,933,716 |
| 2026 | income | $3,651,401 |
| 2026 | brand company net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $802,214 |
| 2026 | long term note receivable | $1,655,091 |
| 2026 | total operating expenses | $16,910,435 |
| 2026 | contract liabilities | $156,522 |
| 2026 | contract liabilities, less current portion | $248,271 |
| 2026 | total current assets | $38,041,855 |
| 2026 | right of use asset | $831,198 |
| 2026 | accrued expenses, less current portion | $2,461,258 |
| 2026 | partners' deficit/equity | -$113,149,713 |
| 2026 | restaurant and merchandise sales | $1,105,381 |
| 2026 | current portion of notes payable | $500,000 |
| 2026 | total liabilities | $161,568,834 |
| 2026 | consumer products royalties | $1,186,232 |
| 2026 | selling, general & administrative | $16,211,405 |
| 2026 | other income interest income | $144,018 |
| 2026 | resort royalties | $8,728,394 |
| 2026 | depreciation & amortization | $390,797 |
| 2026 | total current liabilities | $13,508,747 |
| 2026 | notes payable, less current portion | $141,401,517 |
| 2026 | other revenue | $3,043,650 |
| 2026 | restaurant royalties | $1,758,533 |
| 2026 | home sales & timeshare revenue | $4,739,646 |
| 2026 | cost of retail and merchandise sales | $308,233 |
| 2026 | accounts receivable | $17,805,146 |
| 2026 | short term note receivable | $0 |
| 2026 | inventory | $514,289 |
| 2026 | interest expense | -$2,993,205 |
| 2026 | income taxes | $140,417 |
| 2026 | brand company net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $661,797 |
| 2026 | prior shareholder costs selling, general & administrative | $134 |
| 2026 | brand company ebitda | $4,042,198 |
| 2024 | restaurant royalties | $9,480,337 |
| 2024 | short-term notes receivable - employees | $1,072,640 |
| 2024 | total assets | $57,147,116 |
| 2024 | contract liabilities, less current portion | $230,353 |
| 2024 | contract assets, less current portion | $1,947,528 |
| 2024 | long-term notes receivable - employees | $21,159 |
| 2024 | lease liability, less current portion | $978,121 |
| 2024 | resort royalties | $31,673,974 |
| 2024 | restaurant and retail merchandise sales | $6,495,530 |
| 2024 | o p eratin g ex p enses cost of restaurant and retail merchandise sales | $1,710,201 |
| 2024 | investing activities notes receivable | $318,468 |
| 2024 | financing activities distributions to partners | -$35,630,167 |
| 2024 | income from operations | $33,256,287 |
| 2024 | other noncash operating expenses | $763,317 |
| 2024 | other noncurrent assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$341,947 |
| 2024 | contract liabilitiesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$343 |
| 2024 | net increase in cash | $9,479,753 |
| 2024 | borrowings on notes payable | $26,000,000 |
| 2024 | net cash used in financing activities | -$10,065,167 |
| 2024 | notes payable, related parties | $9,805,332 |
| 2024 | notes payable, less current portion | $132,221,185 |
| 2024 | total liabilities | $170,591,420 |
| 2024 | cash | $27,181,476 |
| 2024 | accounts receivable | $15,504,605 |
| 2024 | short-term notes receivable | $227,478 |
| 2024 | short-term contract asset | $239,782 |
| 2024 | inventoryMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $875,887 |
| 2024 | prepaid expenses | $2,141,643 |
| 2024 | total current assets | $47,243,511 |
| 2024 | property and equipment, net | $4,949,404 |
| 2024 | right-of-use assets | $1,362,320 |
| 2024 | long-term notes receivable | $414,579 |
| 2024 | other noncurrent assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $1,208,615 |
| 2024 | accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $10,089,465 |
| 2024 | contract liabilitiesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $137,498 |
| 2024 | deferred revenueMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $4,682,638 |
| 2024 | lease liabilityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $402,302 |
| 2024 | current portion of notes payable | $500,000 |
| 2024 | total current liabilities | $15,811,903 |
| 2024 | accrued expenses, less current portion | $2,725,371 |
| 2024 | deferred revenue, less current portion | $8,819,155 |
| 2024 | residential and timeshare royalties | $37,379,336 |
| 2024 | consumer products royalties | $4,594,556 |
| 2024 | other revenue | $15,010,443 |
| 2024 | total revenues | $104,634,176 |
| 2024 | selling, general, and administrative | $68,220,301 |
| 2024 | depreciation | $1,447,387 |
| 2024 | total operating expenses | $71,377,889 |
| 2024 | operating activities net income | $19,891,345 |
| 2024 | interest income | $837,525 |
| 2024 | interest expense | -$13,423,323 |
| 2024 | net income before income taxes | $20,670,489 |
| 2024 | income taxes | $779,144 |
| 2024 | equity compensation - class b and c shares | $3,308,988 |
| 2024 | inventoryMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$429,016 |
| 2024 | contract assets | $82,402 |
| 2024 | prepaid and other assets | -$250,248 |
| 2024 | noncash lease expense | -$740,702 |
| 2024 | accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $1,177,806 |
| 2024 | lease liabilityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $766,747 |
| 2024 | deferred revenueMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$4,292,806 |
| 2024 | net cash provided by operating activities | $22,905,010 |
| 2024 | capital expenditures | -$3,599,240 |
| 2024 | receivables from employees | -$79,318 |
| 2024 | net cash | -$3,360,090 |
| 2024 | principal payments on notes payable | -$435,000 |
| 2024 | supplemental disclosure of cash flows interest paid | $13,489,229 |
| 2023 | resort royalties | $29,097,964 |
| 2023 | short-term notes receivable | $227,478 |
| 2023 | contract assets, less current portion | $2,037,030 |
| 2023 | property and equipment, net | $3,560,863 |
| 2023 | accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $9,325,451 |
| 2023 | deferred revenueMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $4,714,981 |
| 2023 | net loss on sale of venues | -$1,902,027 |
| 2023 | prepaid and other assets | $225,589 |
| 2023 | current portion of notes payable | $240,000 |
| 2023 | restaurant and retail merchandise sales | $6,784,532 |
| 2023 | accrued expenses, less current portion | $2,311,576 |
| 2023 | restaurant royalties | $10,166,895 |
| 2023 | depreciation | $1,433,243 |
| 2023 | other income | -$2,000,000 |
| 2023 | contract assets | -$121,663 |
| 2023 | accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $512,739 |
| 2023 | deferred revenueMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$4,149,106 |
| 2023 | total revenues | $92,488,263 |
| 2023 | income taxes | $656,806 |
| 2023 | investing activities notes receivable | $176,866 |
| 2023 | receivables from employees | -$52,897 |
| 2023 | lease liability, less current portion | $209,854 |
| 2023 | notes payable, related parties | $9,805,332 |
| 2023 | notes payable, less current portion | $106,916,186 |
| 2023 | total liabilities | $147,375,015 |
| 2023 | cash | $17,701,723 |
| 2023 | accounts receivable | $17,026,684 |
| 2023 | short-term notes receivable - employees | $3,700 |
| 2023 | short-term contract asset | $232,684 |
| 2023 | inventoryMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $446,872 |
| 2023 | prepaid expenses | $1,891,395 |
| 2023 | total current assets | $37,530,536 |
| 2023 | right-of-use assets | $621,617 |
| 2023 | long-term notes receivable | $733,046 |
| 2023 | long-term notes receivable - employees | $1,010,782 |
| 2023 | other noncurrent assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $866,666 |
| 2023 | total assets | $46,360,540 |
| 2023 | contract liabilitiesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $128,511 |
| 2023 | lease liabilityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $403,822 |
| 2023 | total current liabilities | $14,812,765 |
| 2023 | contract liabilities, less current portion | $239,684 |
| 2023 | deferred revenue, less current portion | $13,079,618 |
| 2023 | residential and timeshare royalties | $35,130,754 |
| 2023 | consumer products royalties | $4,199,315 |
| 2023 | other revenue | $7,108,803 |
| 2023 | o p eratin g ex p enses cost of restaurant and retail merchandise sales | $1,814,546 |
| 2023 | selling, general, and administrative | $65,463,612 |
| 2023 | total operating expenses | $68,711,401 |
| 2023 | income from operations | $23,776,862 |
| 2023 | net income from continuing operations | $27,784,671 |
| 2023 | net gain on insurance proceeds | $20,088,815 |
| 2023 | interest income | $808,337 |
| 2023 | interest expense | -$12,330,510 |
| 2023 | net income before income taxes | $28,441,477 |
| 2023 | loss on sale of venues | $1,902,027 |
| 2023 | loss on investment in unconsolidated entities | $2,000,000 |
| 2023 | gain on insurance settlement | -$20,088,815 |
| 2023 | equity compensation - class b and c shares | $11,474,320 |
| 2023 | inventoryMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$151,544 |
| 2023 | noncash lease expense | $325,260 |
| 2023 | other noncurrent assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $50,000 |
| 2023 | contract liabilitiesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $95,663 |
| 2023 | lease liabilityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$314,312 |
| 2023 | net cash provided by operating activities | $20,082,698 |
| 2023 | capital expenditures | -$1,276,145 |
| 2023 | proceeds from keymen life insurance | $20,088,815 |
| 2023 | net cash | $18,936,639 |
| 2023 | financing activities distributions to partners | -$32,078,955 |
| 2023 | principal payments on notes payable | -$21,056,315 |
| 2023 | borrowings on notes payable | $24,000,000 |
| 2023 | net cash used in financing activities | -$29,135,270 |
| 2023 | net increase in cash | $9,884,067 |
| 2023 | cash at beginning of year | $7,817,656 |
| 2023 | supplemental disclosure of cash flows interest paid | $12,265,119 |
| — | long term note receivable - employees: 562,129 | $562,129 |
| — | right of use liability - lt: 455,466 | $455,466 |
| — | short term note receivable - employees: 3,400 | $3,400 |
| — | right of use liability - st: 402,301 | $402,301 |
| — | total liabilities and partners’ deficit: 46,360,540 | $46,360,540 |
| — | total partners’ deficit: -113,444,304 | -$113,444,304 |
| — | total partners’ deficit: -101,014,475 | -$101,014,475 |
| — | net income | $661,663 |
| — | ebitda incl. prior shareholders: 4,042,064 | $4,042,064 |
| — | total liabilities and partners’ deficit: 57,147,116 | $57,147,116 |
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
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Territory language
Litigation disclosure
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Bankruptcy disclosure
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Agreement term
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Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.