How Much Does a Century 21® Franchise Cost?
Data from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document
Investment Summary
Total Investment
$36K – $473K
Franchise Fee
$25K
Royalty
6.0%
Ad Fund
0.5%
Cost Breakdown
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee for Century 21® is $25K. This one-time payment covers the right to operate under the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training programs.
Total Investment Range
Opening a Century 21® franchise requires a total investment of $36K – $473K. This range typically includes real estate or leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, initial inventory, signage, insurance, and working capital to sustain operations during the ramp-up period.
Working capital alone ranges from $15K to $60K.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the initial investment, Century 21® franchisees pay ongoing fees. The royalty fee is 6.0% of gross sales (Percentage of Gross Revenue). The advertising or brand fund contribution is 0.5% of gross sales. There is also a technology fee of $0.
Net Worth & Liquid Capital Requirements
Century 21® requires working capital of $15K – $60K to cover initial operating expenses. This is the liquid cash you should have available beyond the franchise fee and buildout costs.
What Can You Earn?
Century 21® does not disclose earnings data in Item 19 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish financial performance representations, though this is a data point many prospective franchisees consider important.
How Do Banks View Century 21®?
SBA Loans Issued
115
Default Rate
9.0%
The SBA (Small Business Administration) tracks loan performance for franchise brands. Century 21® has 115 SBA-backed loans on record. The default rate is 9.0%, which is below the franchise industry average, indicating relatively lower lending risk. A lower default rate generally indicates that lenders view the franchise as a safer investment, though past performance does not guarantee future results.
Next Steps
Talk to current Century 21® franchise owners
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Compare Century 21® to similar franchises
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