Crowne Plaza franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Crowne Plaza franchise fee is $125,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $17,378,326 to $80,742,850, with about $6,645,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Crowne Plaza FDD.
What are the Crowne Plaza franchise fees and investment?
The Crowne Plaza franchise requires a franchise fee of $125,000 and a total initial investment of $17,378,326 to $80,742,850. 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) | $125,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $17,378,326 to $80,742,850 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $6,645,000 |
| US locations | 83 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Franchising since | 1990 |
How does the Crowne Plaza investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Crowne Plaza's minimum investment of $17,378,326 is above the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 48 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $125,000 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
By minimum investment, Crowne Plaza belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Crowne Plaza FDD?
Verify six parts of the Crowne Plaza 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 Crowne Plaza 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 Crowne Plaza?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Crowne Plaza:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn | $62,500 to $65,000 | $17,465,626 to $31,429,700 |
| EVEN Hotels | $75,000 | $17,743,001 to $27,410,450 |
| Hyatt Place | $75,000 to $150,000 | $17,918,455 to $52,134,018 |
| Vignette Collection | $100,000 | $18,039,791 to $85,017,180 |
| Ac Hotels By Marriott | $90,000 to $115,000 | $18,188,010 to $59,042,010 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Crowne Plaza franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Crowne Plaza franchise ranges from $17,378,326 to $80,742,850, including a franchise fee of $125,000, 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 Crowne Plaza franchise?
Crowne Plaza lists a minimum of about $6,645,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Crowne Plaza locations are there?
Crowne Plaza reported 83 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 Crowne Plaza been franchising?
Crowne Plaza started offering franchises in 1990 after the company was founded in 1989.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Crowne Plaza and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Crowne Plaza. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.