The James franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The The James franchise fee is $125,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $81,050 to $223,200, with about $25,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the The James FDD.
What are the The James franchise fees and investment?
The The James franchise requires a franchise fee of $125,000 and a total initial investment of $81,050 to $223,200. 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) | $125,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $81,050 to $223,200 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $25,000 |
| US locations | Not reported |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | Newton, Massachusetts |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Franchising since | 2022 |
How does the The James investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
The James's minimum investment of $81,050 is at or below the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 176 of the other 194 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $125,000 compares with an industry median of $50,000.
What should you verify in the The James FDD?
Verify six parts of the The James 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 The James 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 The James?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to The James:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Planners | $7,500 | $82,500 to $130,300 |
| Garner an IHG Hotel | $50,000 | $79,350 to $118,085 |
| Cruisin Tikis | $20,000 | $83,015 to $123,650 |
| Arise Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham | $25,000 | $87,580 to $106,580 |
| Oyo | $25,000 | $88,700 to $200,900 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a The James franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a The James franchise ranges from $81,050 to $223,200, including a franchise fee of $125,000, 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 The James franchise?
The James lists a minimum of about $25,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many The James locations are there?
A current US unit count for The James is not reported in our data. Item 20 of the FDD lists the number of franchised and company-owned outlets.
How long has The James been franchising?
The James started offering franchises in 2022 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. The James and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by The James. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.