City Express by Marriott vs Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both City Express by Marriott and Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential are lodging franchises. City Express by Marriott requires an investment of $2.8M – $4.9M while Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential requires $1.9M – $5.2M. Neither City Express by Marriott nor Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential makes a financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD — a voluntary item under the FTC Franchise Rule — so the two cannot be compared on disclosed unit revenue. FranchiseVerdict rates City Express by Marriott B (Above average) and Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential B (Above average).
| Metric | City Express by Marriott | Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove average | BAbove average |
| Investment Range | $2.8M – $4.9M | $1.9M – $5.2M |
| Franchise Fee | $75K | $45K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | N/ANo Item 19 representation | N/ANo Item 19 representation |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | N/A | Limited data |
| Total Units | 11 | 61 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | +10 units | +2 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 2024 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2024 |
Investment Range
$2.8M – $4.9M
$1.9M – $5.2M
Franchise Fee
$75K
$45K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
N/ANo Item 19 representation
N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate
N/A
Limited data
Total Units
11
61
Unit Growth (YoY)
+10 units
+2 units
Year Began Franchising
2024
2021
FDD Year
2026
2024