Franopolis

    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources

    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts and The Royal Sonesta are full-service hotel brands within Sonesta's portfolio. The brands offer lodging in city and resort destinations, with dining and meeting or event facilities.

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    Headline figures

    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta quick facts

    Is Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta a franchise?
    Yes. Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 18 outlets in total (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 77).
    How much does it cost to open a Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta franchise?
    The Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $1,507,607–$110,540,099 for conversion only (sonesta hotels and resorts conversion total lower initial investment) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 37); $1,872,107–$155,360,099 for conversion only (royal sonesta conversion total lower initial investment) (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 40); $87,716,578–$155,360,099 for royal sonesta new construction total lower initial investment (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 40); $57,729,078–$110,540,099 for sonesta hotels and resorts new construction total lower initial investment (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 37). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What ongoing fees does Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta 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 Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta 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 Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta locations are there?
    The FDD reports 18 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 77). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta 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: $1,507,607 – $110,540,099 (Sonesta Hotels and Resorts conversion Total lower initial investment); $1,872,107 – $155,360,099 (Royal Sonesta conversion Total lower initial investment); $87,716,578 – $155,360,099 (Royal Sonesta new construction Total lower initial investment); $57,729,078 – $110,540,099 (Sonesta Hotels and Resorts new construction Total lower initial investment); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 8 separate groups: other measures for 25 SHR Company - Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 24 SHR Company - Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 2 SHR Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 5 SHR Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 30 SHR Company - Owned and Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 26 SHR Company - Owned and Franchised Hotels locations; other measures for 18 RS Company - Owned Hotels locations; other measures for 17 RS Company - Owned Hotels locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets held steady in 2025, to 18 (Company- Owned, 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 Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta head-to-head

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

    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal SonestaVSQuality Inn
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    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal SonestaVSComfort Inn
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    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal SonestaVSResidence Inn by Marriott
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    Sonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal SonestaVSRed 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 4 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (4)

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

    • Sonesta Hotels and Resorts conversion Total lower initial investmentPDF p. 37$1,507,607 – $110,540,099
    • Royal Sonesta conversion Total lower initial investmentPDF p. 40$1,872,107 – $155,360,099
    • Sonesta Hotels and Resorts new construction Total lower initial investmentPDF p. 37$57,729,078 – $110,540,099
    • Royal Sonesta new construction Total lower initial investmentPDF p. 40$87,716,578 – $155,360,099

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

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

    Royalty percentage of gross rooms revenueMain ongoing fee

    101 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?

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

    25 locations

    Other measures · 25 locations

    Who is counted
    SHR Company - Owned Hotels one full years
    Period
    Average
    Excluded
    SHR one closure excluded; full-year and three-full-year cohorts separately. RS has company-owned only.
    Method
    Aggregate ADR, occupancy and RevPAR; median and ranges per hotel. Contribution Sonesta channels excludes direct/OTAs. Source franchisee/STR reports; no cost deductions.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    Company- Owned, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 80

    Net −3 outlets, 2023–2025

    0212023242024182025+3−6

    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 ($1,507,607 – $155,360,099) 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 18 to 18 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. [1]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SHR Company - Owned Hotels one full years · PDF p. 72; PDF p. 74
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SHR Company - Owned Hotels three full years · PDF p. 72; PDF p. 73; PDF p. 74
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SHR Franchised Hotels three full years · PDF p. 74; PDF p. 73
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SHR Franchised Hotels one full years · PDF p. 73; PDF p. 74
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SHR Company - Owned and Franchised Hotels one full years · PDF p. 73; PDF p. 75
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — SHR Company - Owned and Franchised Hotels three full years · PDF p. 73; PDF p. 75
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — RS Company - Owned Hotels one full years · PDF p. 74; PDF p. 75
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — RS Company - Owned Hotels three full years · PDF p. 74; PDF p. 75
    9. [9]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 80

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

    Territory & operations

    12 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
    2025cash and cash equivalents$16,410
    2025prepaid expenses and other current assets$10,218
    2025total current assets$41,698
    2025intangible assets, net$20,615
    2025operating lease right of use assets$1,216
    2025goodwill$19,680
    2025other long term assets$36,987
    2025total assets$122,224
    2025accrued expenses and other current liabilities$2,726
    2025operating lease liabilities$593
    2025total current liabilities$8,470
    2025operating lease liabilities, net of current portion$716

    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 Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta vs Quality InnSonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta vs Comfort InnSonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta vs Residence Inn by MarriottSonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta vs Red Roof Inn / Red Roof PlusSonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta vs Red Roof InnSonesta Hotels and Resorts Royal Sonesta 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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