Franchise opportunities compared

    Candlewood Suites vs DoubleTree with Piebird

    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.

    Initial investment · Item 7

    Candlewood Suites

    $15,296,866 – $23,004,446

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 51

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    $1,427,231 – $64,868,539

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 45

    Initial franchise fee · Item 5

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    $100,000

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 24

    Royalty · Item 6

    Candlewood Suites

    5.5%

    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 28

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    5% of gross rooms revenue

    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 29

    Before you compare

    • Both sets of figures come from 2026 FDDs.
    • Only Candlewood Suites has reviewed Item 19 figures here.

    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

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    $1,427,231 – $64,868,539
    TOTAL
    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 45
    Standard initial franchise fee (Item 5)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    No single standard fee identified

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    $100,000
    The fee is $100,000 plus $400 for each additional guest room or suite over 250.
    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 24
    Royalty (Item 6)

    Candlewood Suites

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

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    5% of gross rooms revenue
    General Monthly Royalty Fee
    2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 29
    Brand / advertising fund (Item 6)

    Candlewood Suites

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

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    Not available
    No reviewed brand or advertising fund fee

    System scale & health

    Total outlets (Item 20)

    Candlewood Suites

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

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    0
    Outlets at end of 2025
    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 93
    Net outlet change (Item 20)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    Only one year reported

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    +0
    Calculated: 0 at end of 2023 → 0 at end of 2025
    Outlet exits (Item 20)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    No complete exit records for a year

    DoubleTree with Piebird

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

    Candlewood Suites

    1995
    From a verified franchisor listing

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    2026
    2026 FDD · Item 1 · PDF p. 9
    Franchisor founded (Item 1)

    Candlewood Suites

    Not available
    Not in reviewed records

    DoubleTree with Piebird

    2007
    2026 FDD · Item 1 · PDF p. 9

    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
    DoubleTree with Piebird

    Not disclosed — no Item 19 financial performance representation

    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 DoubleTree with Piebird: common questions

    Which costs less to open, Candlewood Suites or DoubleTree with Piebird?
    Candlewood Suites: $15,296,866 – $23,004,446 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 51); DoubleTree with Piebird: $1,427,231 – $64,868,539 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 45). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for DoubleTree with Piebird. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
    How do Candlewood Suites and DoubleTree with Piebird royalties compare?
    Candlewood Suites: 5.5% (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 28); DoubleTree with Piebird: 5% of gross rooms revenue (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 29). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
    Which has more locations, Candlewood Suites or DoubleTree with Piebird?
    Candlewood Suites: 407 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 90); DoubleTree with Piebird: 0 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 93). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
    Do Candlewood Suites and DoubleTree with Piebird disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Candlewood Suites has reviewed Item 19 figures for 1 location group; DoubleTree with Piebird makes no Item 19 financial performance representation. 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

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