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Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Franchise Opportunity in the USA

USA

Established

1983

Franchise Units

400

dollar

Minimum Investment

$17,380,000

dollar

Franchise Fee

$75,000

dollar

Total Investment Range

$80,740,000

Home Based

No

Description

Invest in the Upscale Travel Market with a Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Franchise

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, a premium, full-service brand within the renowned IHG Hotels & Resorts family, stands as a dominant force in the global hospitality landscape. Targeting the modern business traveler and upscale leisure guest, Crowne Plaza has meticulously carved out a distinguished niche in major urban centers, gateway cities, and resort destinations worldwide. The brand is synonymous with purposeful design, exceptional service, and innovative spaces that enable guests to transition seamlessly between work and life.

A Crowne Plaza franchise offers a compelling investment proposition, combining the stability and global reach of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) — one of the world's leading hotel companies—with a brand identity focused on "making business travel work." This positioning taps into a high-value segment of the USA market, catering to guests who demand high-quality accommodations, superior meeting facilities, and spaces designed for productivity and connection. By partnering with Crowne Plaza, you leverage a globally recognized brand and a powerful ecosystem built for revenue generation and operational excellence. This is an opportunity to own a world-class hotel asset with the support of a multi-national powerhouse.


Why Invest in this Franchise?

Investing in a Crowne Plaza franchise in the USA is a strategic move, offering several key advantages for sophisticated investors:

  • Global Brand Strength & IHG Ecosystem: Crowne Plaza is backed by IHG Hotels & Resorts, a portfolio that drives powerful brand awareness and guest loyalty. Franchisees benefit from the vast reach of the IHG One Rewards program, a major competitive advantage that directs a significant volume of high-value reservations to your property.

  • Targeted Market Positioning: The brand is designed for the upscale traveler, offering services and amenities—like the Plaza Workspace meeting concept and signature sleep advantage programs—that command premium room rates and drive higher RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) in key metropolitan and destination markets.

  • Robust Distribution and Technology: Gain immediate access to IHG’s advanced global reservation system (GRS) and cutting-edge technology platforms like IHG Concerto, which maximize revenue management, streamline operations, and offer seamless digital guest experiences.

  • Proven Business Model: Crowne Plaza has a long, established history of operating successful, high-performing hotels in competitive markets globally, providing a time-tested framework for financial success.

  • Development Potential: Opportunities are often available for both new construction and conversion of existing properties, allowing flexibility in development strategy to meet market demand and investment timelines.


Background


DetailInformation
Parent Company & OwnershipIHG Hotels & Resorts (InterContinental Hotels Group plc)
Established Year (Brand)1983 (as Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza)
Franchising Since
1983
(The brand began offering franchises shortly after its launch)

Founders/Origins
Launched by Holiday Corporation (later acquired by Bass PLC, now IHG) to serve the upscale market segment.

Brand Journey
Started as an upscale sister brand to Holiday Inn. The first location opened in Rockville, Maryland, in 1983. It was formally renamed Crowne Plaza Hotels after Bass PLC purchased Holiday Corporation in 1988, evolving into the global, premium brand it is today.

Industry Category
Premium / Upscale Full-Service Hotels & Resorts

Global/USA Market PresenceA highly recognizable international brand with a significant presence in the USA, located in key city centers, airports, and resort areas. The brand has over 400 open hotels and over 110,000 rooms worldwide (figures are approximate and subject to change per current FDD).


Support Training

IHG Hotels & Resorts offers a comprehensive, multi-faceted support system designed to guide franchisees from initial development through sustained operations and performance optimization:

Support Category
Detailed Provision

Pre-Launch & DevelopmentDetailed Development Assessment: Expert analysis by IHG's Developer and Analyst teams to evaluate site selection and market potential. Design & Engineering: Consultation to ensure the hotel design adheres to brand standards while being tailored for the local market and maximizing operational efficiency. Hotel Opening Team: Dedicated guidance throughout the pre-opening phase, including a Hotel Opening Manager tool to manage critical tasks and ensure a smooth launch.

Operational & AcademicIHG Training Programs: Access to IHG's extensive training modules, resources, and best practices for hotel management, operations, and guest service. This includes training for General Managers and key staff on proprietary systems and brand standards. Proprietary Technology: Utilization of the cloud-based IHG Concerto platform for reservations, guest services, and data insights, coupled with ongoing IT support and proprietary software for property management (PMS).

Marketing & RevenueGlobal Sales & Marketing: Franchisees benefit from national and international brand marketing campaigns, SEO, website development, and tailored digital marketing support. Global Reservation System (GRS): Integration with IHG's powerful GRS to capture global bookings. IHG One Rewards Loyalty Program: Leveraging the vast membership base of one of the industry's leading loyalty programs to drive repeat business and high-value reservations.

Ongoing SupportField Operations Team: Regular visits and consultation from dedicated IHG representatives to assist with compliance, performance reviews, and operational improvements. Procurement: Access to IHG's global supply chain and procurement programs for favorable pricing on equipment, supplies, and services. Security & Safety Procedures: Guidance and standards to ensure guest and employee safety.


Ideal Candidate

The ideal Crowne Plaza franchisee is typically a seasoned investor or a multi-unit operator with a strong background in hospitality development and management.

  • Business Background: Experience in hotel ownership, management, or large-scale commercial real estate development is highly preferred. Franchisees should demonstrate a deep understanding of P&L management, labor relations, and capital expenditure planning for significant assets.

  • Passion & Vision: A commitment to delivering the premium, upscale guest experience that the Crowne Plaza brand promises. The ideal candidate is passionate about the hospitality industry and dedicated to maintaining the highest brand standards.

  • Investment Capability: Must possess the significant liquid capital and net worth required to secure financing and cover the total investment, which spans tens of millions of dollars. The ability to manage a large-scale development project, including land acquisition (if applicable) and construction, is essential.

  • Location Preference: Seeking investors who can develop in major US urban centers, prominent gateway cities, high-traffic commercial districts, or established resort destinations where the Crowne Plaza brand naturally thrives due to its appeal to business and upscale leisure travelers. Preference is often given to multi-unit developers looking to expand the brand's presence in strategic markets.


Financial Detail

Note: These figures are estimates based on available industry data and may change. Specific costs are detailed in the official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) provided by IHG Hotels & Resorts.


Financial ComponentEstimated Range (USD)
Notes & Details

Total Investment Required$17.38 Million to $80.74 Million+ (Per 250-room hotel)This is the full range for a new-build typical Crowne Plaza hotel, excluding land costs. The range varies significantly based on hotel size (rooms), location, market conditions, and level of amenities.

Minimum Investment RequiredSignificant liquid capital and net worth in the millions required to qualify for IHG.
Exact liquid capital and net worth requirements are stipulated in the FDD, often requiring a substantial net worth.

Initial Franchise Fee
$75,000 to $125,000
(or a set amount per room, whichever is greater)

A one-time fee paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.
Royalty Fees5.0% of Gross Rooms Revenue
An ongoing fee for the use of the brand name, trademarks, and operating systems.

Marketing Budget/Program FeesApproximately 3.0% of Gross Rooms Revenue
Contribution to national and regional advertising, central reservations, and brand-wide marketing efforts.

Infrastructure CostIncluded within the Total Investment range.
Covers construction, Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E), site improvements, and pre-opening expenses.

Working CapitalIncluded within the Total Investment range.
Funds required to cover initial operating expenses before the business achieves profitability.

Expected ROI / Potential RevenueVaries Significantly
Returns depend heavily on location (RevPAR), operational efficiency, debt structure, and local market competition. IHG will not provide specific ROI figures, but the brand’s positioning in the upscale segment targets high average daily rates (ADR) and robust RevPAR.

Break-Even TimeVaries
Typical break-even for large-scale hotels often depends on the stabilization period, which can be several years post-opening, and is heavily influenced by the initial debt load and market performance.

Potential Revenue StreamsRoom Revenue (Primary), Food & Beverage (Restaurants, Bars, Catering/Events), Meeting & Event Space Rental, and other ancillary revenues (Parking, Business Center Services).



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