Waldorf Astoria franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Waldorf Astoria franchise fee is $75,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $149,719,200 to $818,999,000, with about $63,410,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Waldorf Astoria FDD.
What are the Waldorf Astoria franchise fees and investment?
The Waldorf Astoria franchise requires a franchise fee of $75,000 and a total initial investment of $149,719,200 to $818,999,000. 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) | $149,719,200 to $818,999,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $63,410,000 |
| US locations | 1 |
| Industry | Hotels & Travel (Hotels & Lodging) |
| Headquarters | McLean, Virginia |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Franchising since | 2007 |
How does the Waldorf Astoria investment compare with other hotels & travel franchises?
Waldorf Astoria's minimum investment of $149,719,200 is above the median minimum investment of $7,607,385 across the 195 hotels & travel franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1 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, Waldorf Astoria belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Waldorf Astoria FDD?
Verify six parts of the Waldorf Astoria 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 Waldorf Astoria 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 Waldorf Astoria?
These hotels & travel franchises have the closest minimum investment to Waldorf Astoria:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| The Luxury Collection | $100,000 | $154,995,890 to $251,805,390 |
| Hard Rock Hotel | $200,000 | $118,010,666 to $221,433,000 |
| InterContinental Hotels & Resorts | $150,000 | $106,798,100 to $153,088,452 |
| Renaissance Hotels | $120,000 | $102,148,840 to $166,210,240 |
| JW Marriott | $120,000 | $95,892,590 to $239,254,490 |
See every brand in hotels & travel franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Waldorf Astoria franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Waldorf Astoria franchise ranges from $149,719,200 to $818,999,000, 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 Waldorf Astoria franchise?
Waldorf Astoria lists a minimum of about $63,410,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Waldorf Astoria locations are there?
Waldorf Astoria reported 1 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 Waldorf Astoria been franchising?
Waldorf Astoria started offering franchises in 2007 after the company was founded in 2007.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Waldorf Astoria and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Waldorf Astoria. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.