Franopolis

    Sonesta ES Suites

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources

    Sonesta ES Suites provides extended-stay hotel accommodation in residence-style suites with full kitchens. Properties offer space for work and relaxation, with additional services and amenities varying by hotel.

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    Headline figures

    Sonesta ES Suites quick facts

    Is Sonesta ES Suites a franchise?
    Yes. Sonesta ES Suites offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 59 franchised and 14 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 76).
    How much does it cost to open a Sonesta ES Suites franchise?
    The Sonesta ES Suites Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $981,907–$26,400,813 for conversion only (total initial investment, low estimate — conversion) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 39); $16,541,907–$26,400,813 for total initial investment, low estimate — new construction (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 39). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What ongoing fees does Sonesta ES Suites charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 24). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Sonesta ES Suites disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Sonesta ES Suites FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 72). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Sonesta ES Suites locations are there?
    The FDD reports 73 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 76). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Sonesta ES Suites a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 lists every recurring fee beyond 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 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $981,907 – $26,400,813 (Total initial investment, low estimate — Conversion); $16,541,907 – $26,400,813 (Total initial investment, low estimate — New construction); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 12 separate groups: other measures for 53 Company-Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 53 Company-Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 16 Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 16 Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 69 Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 69 Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 53 Company-Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 53 Company-Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 16 Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 16 Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 69 Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 69 Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets declined by 5 in 2025, to 73 (United States, 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.

    Sonesta ES Suites head-to-head

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

    Sonesta ES SuitesVSQuality Inn
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    Sonesta ES SuitesVSComfort Inn
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    Sonesta ES SuitesVSResidence Inn by Marriott
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    Sonesta ES SuitesVSRed Roof Inn / Red Roof Plus
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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 2 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)

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

    • Total initial investment, low estimate — ConversionPDF p. 39$981,907 – $26,400,813
    • Total initial investment, low estimate — New constructionPDF p. 39$16,541,907 – $26,400,813

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

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

    Royalty 5% — 5%Main ongoing fee

    99 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?

    12 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    53 locations

    Other measures · 53 locations

    Who is counted
    Company-Owned Hotels open at least three full years
    Period
    Percent at/above mean
    Excluded
    Closures, partial-year operations and insufficient reporting excluded per source; 39 sold company hotels classified company-owned for majority-year operation.
    Method
    ADR aggregate gross rooms revenue/occupied paid rooms; occupancy paid occupied/available; RevPAR gross rooms revenue/available. Median/range per hotel; temporarily unavailable rooms not adjusted; contribution Sonesta channels excluding direct/OTAs.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 76

    Net −14 outlets, 2023–2025

    0872023782024732025−9−5

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; 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 ($981,907 – $26,400,813) 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 78 to 73 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. [1]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Hotels open at least three full years · PDF p. 72
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Hotels open at least one full years · PDF p. 72
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Hotels open at least one full years · PDF p. 72; PDF p. 73
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Hotels open at least three full years · PDF p. 73
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels open at least one full years · PDF p. 73
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels open at least three full years · PDF p. 73
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Hotels one full years · PDF p. 73
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Hotels three full years · PDF p. 73
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Hotels one full years · PDF p. 74
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Hotels three full years · PDF p. 74
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels one full years · PDF p. 74
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned and Franchised Hotels three full years · PDF p. 74
    13. [13]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 76

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

    Territory & operations

    69 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
    2025prepaid expenses and other current assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$10,218
    2025total current assets$41,698
    2025property and equipment, net$2,028
    2025intangible assets, net$20,615
    2025other long term assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$36,987
    2025total assets$122,224
    2025accounts payableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$425
    2025accrued compensation$4,726
    2025operating lease liabilities$593
    2025due to related parties$29,117
    2025deferred income taxes$235
    2025other long-term liabilities$12,613

    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.

    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 InnResidence Inn by MarriottRed Roof Inn / Red Roof PlusRed Roof InnSpringHill Suites By Marriott

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Sonesta ES Suites vs Quality InnSonesta ES Suites vs Comfort InnSonesta ES Suites vs Residence Inn by MarriottSonesta ES Suites vs Red Roof Inn / Red Roof PlusSonesta ES Suites vs Red Roof InnSonesta ES Suites vs SpringHill Suites By Marriott
    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

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

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