Motel 6 franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Motel 6 franchise fee is $41,300 and the total initial investment ranges from $6,251,265 to $8,239,350, with about $1,350,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Motel 6 FDD.
What are the Motel 6 franchise fees and investment?
The Motel 6 franchise requires a franchise fee of $41,300 and a total initial investment of $6,251,265 to $8,239,350. 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) | $41,300 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $6,251,265 to $8,239,350 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $1,350,000 |
| US locations | 1,195 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Franchising since | 1996 |
How does the Motel 6 investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Motel 6's minimum investment of $6,251,265 is at or below the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 108 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $41,300 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
By minimum investment, Motel 6 belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Motel 6 FDD?
Verify six parts of the Motel 6 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 Motel 6 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 Motel 6?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Motel 6:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Best Western | $54,000 to $63,000 | $6,126,015 to $32,493,745 |
| Travelodge | $35,000 | $6,101,809 to $10,986,279 |
| Boarders Lodging | $45,000 | $6,504,624 to $16,902,199 |
| Cobblestone Inn & Suites | $45,000 | $5,960,874 to $15,496,699 |
| Studio 6 Suites | $41,300 | $6,594,181 to $8,667,995 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Motel 6 franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Motel 6 franchise ranges from $6,251,265 to $8,239,350, including a franchise fee of $41,300, 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 Motel 6 franchise?
Motel 6 lists a minimum of about $1,350,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Motel 6 locations are there?
Motel 6 reported 1,195 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 Motel 6 been franchising?
Motel 6 started offering franchises in 1996 after the company was founded in 1962.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Motel 6 and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Motel 6. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.