Established
1946
Franchise Units
4300
Minimum Investment
$6,130,275
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total Investment Range
$32,500,000
Home Based
No
Description
Best Western Hotels & Resorts stands as a beacon of reliability and quality in the global hospitality industry. Founded in 1946 by M.K. Guertin in California, the brand began as a network of independent hotel operators sharing referrals among each other. This collaborative spirit laid the foundation for what would become one of the world's largest hotel chains. Today, Best Western operates over 4,700 hotels across nearly 100 countries, with more than 2,000 properties in North America alone .
Operating under a unique nonprofit membership model since 2018, Best Western is owned by its franchisee members, ensuring that decisions are made with the interests of hotel owners in mind. This structure fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose among franchisees. The brand's diverse portfolio includes 19 distinct hotel brands, catering to a wide range of traveler preferences and budgets .
In the USA, Best Western continues to be a dominant force in the hospitality sector, offering franchisees a proven business model, comprehensive support, and a globally recognized brand.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Investing in a Best Western franchise offers numerous advantages:
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Established Brand Recognition: Benefit from the global recognition of the Best Western name, which is synonymous with quality and reliability.
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Diverse Brand Portfolio: Choose from a range of brands within the Best Western family, including Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, and Best Western Premier®, to match your investment goals and target market .
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Nonprofit Ownership Model: As a member-owned organization, Best Western prioritizes the interests of its franchisees, ensuring decisions are made with their success in mind.
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Comprehensive Support: Receive extensive training and operational support to ensure your hotel's success.
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Global Network: Leverage Best Western's worldwide network for marketing, reservations, and operational support.
Background
- Established Year: 1946
Founders: M.K. Guertin
Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Current Global Units (2026): Approximately 4,300+ hotels
USA Presence: Over 2,000 units across all 50 states.
Industry Category: Hospitality / Lodging & Leisure
Brand Journey: Founded as a referral system to help independent hoteliers compete with larger chains, Best Western evolved into a non-profit membership association for decades. In recent years, it restructured under BWH Hotels to accelerate global growth and compete directly with major for-profit giants, while maintaining its "hoteliers-first" culture.
Support Training
Best Western offers a robust support system for its franchisees:
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Pre-Launch Support: Assistance with site selection, design, and construction to ensure your property meets brand standards.
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Operational Training: Comprehensive training programs covering all aspects of hotel operations, from front desk management to housekeeping.
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Marketing Support: Access to Best Western's global marketing resources, including advertising materials, digital marketing strategies, and promotional campaigns.
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Ongoing Education: Continuous learning opportunities through the BWH Hotels Academy, offering courses on hospitality management and customer service
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Technology Tools: Utilization of Best Western's advanced property management systems and reservation platforms to streamline operations and enhance guest experience.
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Operational Assistance: Ongoing support from Best Western's corporate team to address any operational challenges and ensure consistent service quality.
Ideal Candidate
Best Western seeks partners who view hospitality as a service-first profession, not just a real estate play.
Professional Background: Ideally, candidates have experience in hotel operations or real estate development. Multi-unit operators looking to diversify their portfolio are highly valued.
Investment Capability: Investors must meet net worth requirements (typically $500,000+) and have the liquidity to manage both construction and initial working capital.
Passion for Excellence: A commitment to maintaining high "Medallia" (guest satisfaction) scores is non-negotiable.
Location Preference: Prime interest lies in "Top-Tier" metro markets for boutique brands (like Aiden or Glo) and high-traffic interstate or suburban locations for Best Western Plus.
Financial Detail
| Category | Details |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $50,000 – $130,000 (Varies by brand scale) |
| Total Investment Required | $6,130,275 – $32,500,000+ (New Build) |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $20,000 – $100,000 (Varies) |
| Royalty Fees | 5% of Gross Room Revenue |
| Marketing/Ad Fund Fee | 2.1% of Gross Room Revenue |
| Infrastructure & Tech Cost | Included in total investment; covers PMS and signage |
| Expected ROI | Typically 15% – 25% annually for stabilized units |
| Break-Even Time | Estimated 3 – 5 years (Dependent on market & debt) |