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    CSvsCM

    Franchise opportunities compared

    Candlewood Suites vs Complete Music

    Reviewed figures from each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), side by side. Each figure carries its FDD year and page. This is not a ranking or recommendation, and the two FDDs may cover different years and location groups.

    CSCandlewood Suites2026 FDDCMComplete Music2026 FDD

    Initial investment · Item 7

    Candlewood Suites

    $15,296,866 – $23,004,446

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 51

    Complete Music

    $68,800 – $80,750

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Initial franchise fee · Item 5

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available

    Complete Music

    $50,000

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 8

    Royalty · Item 6

    Candlewood Suites

    5.5%

    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 28

    Complete Music

    8% · See — 8%

    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 10

    Before you compare

    • Both sets of figures come from 2026 FDDs.
    • Complete Music discloses more than one business format, so the investment range spans formats; the full report breaks them out.
    • Item 19 figures cover the location groups each FDD names (Candlewood Suites: 1, Complete Music: 9). Different groups are not directly comparable.

    Financial commitment

    Estimated initial investment (Item 7)

    Candlewood Suites

    $15,296,866 – $23,004,446
    Total initial investment — $15,296,866–$23,004,446
    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 51

    Complete Music

    $68,800 – $80,750
    2026 FDD · Item 7
    Standard initial franchise fee (Item 5)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    No single standard fee identified

    Complete Music

    $50,000
    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 8
    Royalty (Item 6)

    Candlewood Suites

    5.5%
    Royalty — 5.5% of GSR
    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 28

    Complete Music

    8% · See — 8%
    Royalty
    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 10
    Brand / advertising fund (Item 6)

    Candlewood Suites

    $10
    Initial marketing contribution to loyalty program — $10/approved suite
    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 28

    Complete Music

    2%
    National Advertising Fund Fee — 2% — 2%
    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 10

    System scale & health

    Total outlets (Item 20)

    Candlewood Suites

    407
    Outlets at end of 2025
    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 90

    Complete Music

    82
    Outlets at end of 2025
    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 35
    Net outlet change (Item 20)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    Only one year reported

    Complete Music

    +13
    Calculated: 69 at end of 2023 → 82 at end of 2025
    Outlet exits (Item 20)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    No complete exit records for a year

    Complete Music

    Not available
    No complete exit records for a year
    Franchising since (Item 1)

    Candlewood Suites

    1995
    From a verified franchisor listing

    Complete Music

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records
    Franchisor founded (Item 1)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records

    Complete Music

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records

    Financial performance (Item 19), by location group

    CSCandlewood Suites
    Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record
    152 units
    other Mature Hotels above-average occupancy count
    2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 87
    CMComplete Music
    Franchised (23 locations) — other measures — Top Third;70full-year from81yearend
    $485,160
    other Gross Receipts
    2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 33
    Franchised (23 locations) — other measures — Middle Third;70full-year from81yearend
    $228,359
    other Gross Receipts
    2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 33
    Franchised (23 locations) — other measures — Top Third
    30 percent
    other At/above average
    2026 FDD · Item 19 · PDF p. 34
    +6 more groups in the full report

    Item 19 groups are shown separately and never combined. Revenue or sales figures are not profit. Net outlet change and turnover are Franopolis calculations from the disclosed counts; turnover is a count-based rate, not a measure of owner earnings.

    Candlewood Suites vs Complete Music: common questions

    Which costs less to open, Candlewood Suites or Complete Music?
    Candlewood Suites: $15,296,866 – $23,004,446 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 51); Complete Music: $68,800 – $80,750 (2026 FDD · Item 7). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for Complete Music. At least one range spans several business formats. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
    How do Candlewood Suites and Complete Music royalties compare?
    Candlewood Suites: 5.5% (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 28); Complete Music: 8% · See — 8% (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 10). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
    Which has more locations, Candlewood Suites or Complete Music?
    Candlewood Suites: 407 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 90); Complete Music: 82 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 35). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
    Do Candlewood Suites and Complete Music disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Candlewood Suites has reviewed Item 19 figures for 1 location group; Complete Music has reviewed Item 19 figures for 9 location groups. Different location groups are not directly comparable, and revenue is not profit.

    Answers restate the reviewed figures above. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    How Franopolis reviews FDD figures

    Keep researching

    CS

    Full Candlewood Suites report

    Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure

    CM

    Full Complete Music report

    Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure

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