Stay Express franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Stay Express franchise fee is $26,250 to $32,750 and the total initial investment ranges from $46,250 to $11,594,750, with about $585,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Stay Express FDD.
What are the Stay Express franchise fees and investment?
The Stay Express franchise requires a franchise fee of $26,250 to $32,750 and a total initial investment of $46,250 to $11,594,750. 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) | $26,250 to $32,750 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $46,250 to $11,594,750 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $585,000 |
| US locations | 9 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Richardson, Texas |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Franchising since | 2015 |
How does the Stay Express investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Stay Express's minimum investment of $46,250 is at or below the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 183 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $26,250 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
By minimum investment, Stay Express belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Stay Express FDD?
Verify six parts of the Stay 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 Stay 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 Stay Express?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Stay Express:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Sky-Palace Inn & Suites | $15,000 | $50,000 to $230,000 |
| Hyatt Studios | $50,000 to $100,000 | $40,200 to $134,000 |
| Key West | $15,000 | $39,499 to $8,713,497 |
| Driverseat | $29,000 to $39,000 | $53,029 to $89,457 |
| Centerstone | $30,000 | $54,499 to $8,728,497 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Stay Express franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Stay Express franchise ranges from $46,250 to $11,594,750, including a franchise fee of $26,250 to $32,750, 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 Stay Express franchise?
Stay Express lists a minimum of about $585,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Stay Express locations are there?
Stay Express reported 9 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 Stay Express been franchising?
Stay Express started offering franchises in 2015 after the company was founded in 2014.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Stay Express and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stay Express. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.