Econo Lodge franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Econo Lodge franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $185,645 to $1,047,895, with about $80,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Econo Lodge FDD.
What are the Econo Lodge franchise fees and investment?
The Econo Lodge franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $185,645 to $1,047,895. 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) | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $185,645 to $1,047,895 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $80,000 |
| US locations | 643 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | North Bethesda, Maryland |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Franchising since | 1990 |
How does the Econo Lodge investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Econo Lodge's minimum investment of $185,645 is at or below the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 160 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
By minimum investment, Econo Lodge belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Econo Lodge FDD?
Verify six parts of the Econo Lodge 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 Econo Lodge 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 Econo Lodge?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Econo Lodge:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Postcard Cabins | $50,000 | $192,925 to $363,625 |
| Project Alpha by Hilton | $100,000 | $195,000 to $275,000 |
| Magnuson Hotels | $10,000 | $175,000 to $400,000 |
| Vagabond Inn | $1,000 | $174,500 to $7,066,500 |
| D Pet Hotels | $50,000 | $173,600 to $736,000 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Econo Lodge franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Econo Lodge franchise ranges from $185,645 to $1,047,895, including a franchise fee of $35,000, 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 Econo Lodge franchise?
Econo Lodge lists a minimum of about $80,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Econo Lodge locations are there?
Econo Lodge reported 643 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 Econo Lodge been franchising?
Econo Lodge started offering franchises in 1990 after the company was founded in 1963.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Econo Lodge and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Econo Lodge. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.