Econo Lodge franchise
An Econo Lodge franchisee operates an economy hotel under the Econo Lodge or Econo Lodge Inn & Suites brand. At the end of 2025 there were 599 Econo Lodge locations in the US, all franchised.
- Cost to open
- $195K–$1.11M
- Franchise fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 5% of room revenue
- Locations, 2025
- 599
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Company snapshot
- SBA loans
- On the SBA Franchise Directory
From CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC’s 2026 filing; SBA status from the SBA Franchise Directory, October 28, 2026.
How much a Econo Lodge franchise costs
Opening conversion of an existing 68-room hotel, excluding real estate costs an estimated $194,595 to $1,106,595. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC, 2026 filing, page 48
Econo Lodge franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,000, $350 per room with a $35,000 minimum for a hotel new to the system.. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC, 2026 filing, page 31
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of gross room revenues. |
|---|
The typical franchise royalty is 6% of sales, plus 2% for marketing. See franchise fees and royalties to compare.
Source: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC, 2026 filing, page 33
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Econo Lodge publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: Performance information covers qualifying US franchised hotels.. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC, 2026 filing, page 79
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 677 (−25) | 0 |
| 2024 | 643 (−34) | 0 |
| 2025 | 599 (−44) | 0 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
See which brands grew most in the fastest-growing franchises rankings.
Source: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC, 2026 filing, page 82
