Key West franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Key West franchise fee is $15,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $39,499 to $8,713,497, with about $440,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Key West FDD.
What are the Key West franchise fees and investment?
The Key West franchise requires a franchise fee of $15,000 and a total initial investment of $39,499 to $8,713,497. 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) | $15,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $39,499 to $8,713,497 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $440,000 |
| US locations | 20 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Neenah, Wisconsin |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Franchising since | 2011 |
How does the Key West investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Key West's minimum investment of $39,499 is at or below the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 185 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $15,000 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
By minimum investment, Key West belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Key West FDD?
Verify six parts of the Key West 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 Key West 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 Key West?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Key West:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Studios | $50,000 to $100,000 | $40,200 to $134,000 |
| Stay Express | $26,250 to $32,750 | $46,250 to $11,594,750 |
| Discovery Map | $25,000 | $29,050 to $36,300 |
| Sky-Palace Inn & Suites | $15,000 | $50,000 to $230,000 |
| Coast Hotels | $0 | $27,500 to $556,000 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Key West franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Key West franchise ranges from $39,499 to $8,713,497, including a franchise fee of $15,000, 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 Key West franchise?
Key West lists a minimum of about $440,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Key West locations are there?
Key West reported 20 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 Key West been franchising?
Key West started offering franchises in 2011 after the company was founded in 2011.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Key West and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Key West. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.