Holiday Inn Express franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Holiday Inn Express franchise fee is $75,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $7,804,300 to $10,571,800, with about $1,700,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Holiday Inn Express FDD.
What are the Holiday Inn Express franchise fees and investment?
The Holiday Inn Express franchise requires a franchise fee of $75,000 and a total initial investment of $7,804,300 to $10,571,800. 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) | $75,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $7,804,300 to $10,571,800 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $1,700,000 |
| US locations | 2,324 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Franchising since | 1990 |
How does the Holiday Inn Express investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Holiday Inn Express's minimum investment of $7,804,300 is above the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 94 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $75,000 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
By minimum investment, Holiday Inn Express belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Holiday Inn Express FDD?
Verify six parts of the Holiday Inn Express 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 Holiday Inn Express 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 Holiday Inn Express?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Holiday Inn Express:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| AmericInn | $35,000 | $7,738,476 to $10,960,034 |
| Ramada | $35,000 | $7,709,044 to $12,091,975 |
| Extended Stay America | $50,000 | $7,929,325 to $9,835,400 |
| Days Inn | $35,000 | $7,607,385 to $9,406,499 |
| Baymont by Wyndham | $26,000 | $7,598,317 to $10,549,711 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Holiday Inn Express franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Holiday Inn Express franchise ranges from $7,804,300 to $10,571,800, including a franchise fee of $75,000, 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 Holiday Inn Express franchise?
Holiday Inn Express lists a minimum of about $1,700,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Holiday Inn Express locations are there?
Holiday Inn Express reported 2,324 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 Holiday Inn Express been franchising?
Holiday Inn Express 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. Holiday Inn Express and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Holiday Inn Express. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.