Established
1981
Franchise Units
60
Minimum Investment
$15,000,000
Franchise Fee
$75,000
Total Investment Range
$120,000,000
Home Based
No
Description
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is one of America’s most admired boutique hospitality brands—known for turning beautifully designed spaces, curated culinary concepts, and highly personalized service into unforgettable guest experiences. As a franchise opportunity, Kimpton stands in the premium tier of hospitality, blending boutique luxury with the operational strength and global reach of IHG Hotels & Resorts. For investors who want to build landmark hotels, elevate their real-estate assets, and enter the high-growth boutique hotel category, Kimpton offers a compelling mix of heritage, prestige, and performance.
Since its earliest days, the brand has been celebrated for its design-forward environments, chef-driven restaurants, welcoming atmosphere, and signature touches like evening social hours and locally inspired services. Kimpton’s franchise partners benefit from a powerful combination: a boutique brand’s soul paired with world-class systems in reservations, marketing, technology, and loyalty. In a competitive hospitality market, Kimpton continues to outperform through distinct positioning, strong guest loyalty, and a reputation for being one of the most innovative boutique hotel companies in the United States.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in a Kimpton franchise means partnering with a luxury brand that consistently ranks high for guest satisfaction, service, and overall brand experience.
Several strategic advantages make Kimpton a standout option within the premium hotel franchise category:
1. Strong, Proven Boutique Model:
Kimpton pioneered the boutique hotel movement in the U.S. decades before it became mainstream. Its service philosophy, locally inspired design, and culinary partnerships give franchisees a competitive edge.
2. Backed by IHG Hotels & Resorts:
As part of one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, Kimpton franchise owners gain access to IHG’s reservation systems, global distribution, technology infrastructure, and the powerful IHG One Rewards loyalty program.
3. Premium Rates & Higher Revenue Potential:
Kimpton’s boutique luxury positioning often commands higher ADR (Average Daily Rates), strong occupancy levels, and enhanced F&B revenue compared to standard hotel models.
4. Flexible Development Options:
Franchisees can develop new-build hotels, adaptive-reuse projects, or historic conversions—ideal for urban areas, high-traffic travel destinations, and mixed-use developments.
5. Award-Winning Brand Equity:
Kimpton consistently appears in lists such as “Best Boutique Hotel Brand,” “Top Workplaces,” and “Best Places to Stay,” helping franchisees attract both travelers and top talent.
Background
Established Year: 1981
Founder: Bill Kimpton
Current Franchise Units (USA & Global): 60+ hotels worldwide and expanding across major U.S. cities
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Industry Category: Boutique Hotels, Luxury Hospitality, Upscale Restaurant Concepts
Parent Company: IHG Hotels & Resorts (acquired Kimpton in 2015)
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants began as a pioneering concept by founder Bill Kimpton, who envisioned hotels that felt more like stylish, welcoming homes than traditional corporate hotels. His approach centered on personalized service, bold design, unique culinary experiences, and a warm, guest-first culture that became the brand’s signature.
Over the years, Kimpton expanded rapidly across major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Portland, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Today, under IHG’s ownership, the brand continues to grow globally while staying true to its boutique identity. Kimpton remains the hospitality industry’s gold standard for blending luxury, creativity, and community connection into every hotel and restaurant concept.
Support Training
Kimpton provides an industry-leading support system to help franchisees build, launch, and operate high-performance boutique hotels. Support includes:
1. Pre-Launch Support
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Site evaluation and feasibility studies
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Architectural, design, and layout guidance
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Brand-approved interior design and procurement support
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Pre-opening marketing strategy and PR launch planning
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Detailed project management tools and brand standards manuals
2. Operational Training
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Comprehensive hotel management training for owners and staff
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Restaurant operational training for on-site dining concepts
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Reservation systems, guest services, front desk operations, and IT training
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Revenue management programs designed to maximize occupancy and rates
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Health, safety, and compliance systems
3. Marketing & Brand Support
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Access to IHG’s global marketing and distribution channels
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Inclusion in IHG One Rewards (over 100 million members worldwide)
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Ongoing brand campaigns, social media, and digital visibility
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Local marketing playbooks and PR strategies
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Reputation management and guest review optimization support
4. Ongoing Franchisee Support
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Dedicated franchise business consultants
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Quarterly performance reviews
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Staff development, service training, and brand culture programs
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Operational audits to maintain brand experience
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Technology updates and integrated hotel management systems
Ideal Candidate
Kimpton is best suited for experienced hospitality investors, hotel developers, high-net-worth individuals, and real-estate groups looking to create premium lifestyle properties. The ideal Kimpton franchise owner typically has:
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Experience in hospitality, commercial real estate, property management, or multi-unit franchise operations
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Strong financial capacity for large-scale investments
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Passion for design, guest experience, and culinary excellence
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Ability to develop hotels in high-demand locations—urban centers, business districts, upscale neighborhoods, resort markets, and tourist destinations
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Interest in building a landmark property with long-term brand equity
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A strategic mindset and willingness to uphold Kimpton’s boutique, service-driven culture
Kimpton also attracts developers seeking adaptive-reuse projects, historic preservation opportunities, or unique architectural conversions where the boutique model thrives.
Financial Detail
| Category | Estimated Cost / Fee |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Range | $30 million – $120 million+ |
| Minimum Investment Required | $15 million+ |
| Franchise Fee | $75,000 – $125,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of Gross Room Revenue |
| F&B Royalty Fee | 2% – 3% of Gross Food & Beverage Revenue |
| Brand Marketing Fund | 2% – 3% of Room Revenue |
| Reservation / System Fees | Varies by property size & IHG structure |
| Pre-Opening Marketing Budget | $200,000 – $1 million |
| Working Capital (Initial) | $500,000 – $3 million |
| Infrastructure / Buildout Costs | Project-dependent (construction, FF&E, restaurant buildout) |
| Average Expected ROI | Long-term premium returns; strong ADR & RevPAR potential |
| Break-Even Period | 3 – 7 years |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Rooms, Food & Beverage, Events, Weddings, Rooftop & Lounge, Spa/Wellness, Parking |