Red Lion Hotels franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Red Lion Hotels franchise fee is $75,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $26,959,924 to $33,531,376, with about $5,720,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Red Lion Hotels FDD.
What are the Red Lion Hotels franchise fees and investment?
The Red Lion Hotels franchise requires a franchise fee of $75,000 and a total initial investment of $26,959,924 to $33,531,376. 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) | $26,959,924 to $33,531,376 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $5,720,000 |
| US locations | 59 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Newton, Massachusetts |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Franchising since | 2005 |
How does the Red Lion Hotels investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Red Lion Hotels's minimum investment of $26,959,924 is above the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 31 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, Red Lion Hotels belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Red Lion Hotels FDD?
Verify six parts of the Red Lion Hotels 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 Red Lion Hotels 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 Red Lion Hotels?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Red Lion Hotels:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| The Registry Collection Hotel | $75,000 | $26,731,580 to $47,439,096 |
| Caption By Hyatt | $95,000 to $150,000 | $28,378,455 to $87,964,018 |
| Radisson Blu | $100,000 | $24,410,500 to $147,220,000 |
| DoubleTree by Hilton | $85,000 | $30,550,859 to $105,638,829 |
| Tempo By Hilton | $100,000 | $23,180,398 to $57,806,098 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Red Lion Hotels franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Red Lion Hotels franchise ranges from $26,959,924 to $33,531,376, 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 Red Lion Hotels franchise?
Red Lion Hotels lists a minimum of about $5,720,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Red Lion Hotels locations are there?
Red Lion Hotels reported 59 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 Red Lion Hotels been franchising?
Red Lion Hotels started offering franchises in 2005 after the company was founded in 1986.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Red Lion Hotels and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Red Lion Hotels. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.