Century 21 franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Century 21 franchise fee is $0 to $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $116,170 to $466,300, with about $40,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Century 21 FDD.
What are the Century 21 franchise fees and investment?
The Century 21 franchise requires a franchise fee of $0 to $25,000 and a total initial investment of $116,170 to $466,300. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $0 to $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $116,170 to $466,300 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $40,000 |
| US locations | 1,734 |
| Industry | Real Estate (Brokerage) |
| Headquarters | Madison, New Jersey |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Franchising since | 1995 |
How does the Century 21 investment compare with other real estate franchises?
Century 21's minimum investment of $116,170 is above the median minimum investment of $97,161 across the 116 real estate franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 49 of the other 115 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $0 compares with an industry median of $34,750.
By minimum investment, Century 21 belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Century 21 FDD?
Verify six parts of the Century 21 Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Century 21 discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Century 21?
These real estate franchises have the closest minimum investment to Century 21:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Keyrenter Property Management | $50,000 | $116,425 to $240,979 |
| Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate | $9,000 to $17,500 | $114,370 to $449,500 |
| Coldwell Banker | $0 to $25,000 | $114,370 to $514,675 |
| The Agency | $47,500 | $119,600 to $896,150 |
| Tucker Associates | $0 | $111,000 to $394,300 |
See every brand in real estate franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Century 21 franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Century 21 franchise ranges from $116,170 to $466,300, including a franchise fee of $0 to $25,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Century 21 franchise?
Century 21 lists a minimum of about $40,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Century 21 locations are there?
Century 21 reported 1,734 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Century 21 been franchising?
Century 21 started offering franchises in 1995 after the company was founded in 1979.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Century 21 and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Century 21. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.