Becoming a franchise owner comes with a lot of benefits that can help a smaller, independent brokerage, such as marketing and operational support and brand recognition. However, there are also a number of fees and costs that go along with joining a franchise. If you’re interested in opening a franchise, see what some of the major brokerages can offer you.
| Company Name | Buy In Cost | Fees | Benefits | # of Franchises Nationally | # of Franchises in Chicago |
| Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | $35,000 | 6% royalty | Business consulting, marketing, tools and training | 91 | 1 |
| Century 21 | $25,000 (first office) $10,000 (branch office) | 6% royalty | Operational Support, international branding, recruiting, business resources, technology, ongoing support | 2,300 | 68 |
| Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC | $25,000 | 6% royalty | Operational support, international branding, recruiting, business resources, technology, ongoing support | 2,200 | 155 |
| Crye-Leike | $13,500 to $25,000 | 6% royalty, 20% renewal | Sales training, relocation services, marketing, sales leads, recruiting systems | 115 (28 franchise offices, 87 corporate offices) | 0 |
| Engel & Volkers | $35,000 | 6% royalty, $17,000 renewal | Global sales opportunities, virtual reality support across all of our licensees, EDGE – a new domestic and international syndication platform | 115 | 0 |
| Equity USA | $1,600 | $499 per transaction | Payroll services, broker training, transaction tools, websites, E&O insurance, profit sharing, operational reimbursement | 60 | 1 |
| ERA Franchise LLC | $25,000 | 6% royalty | Operational support, international branding, recruiting, business resources, technology, ongoing support | 520 | 2 |
| Exit Realty | $7,500 (rural) to $32,000 (urban) | 10% of the current franchise fee upon renewal | Technology, tools and training and a unique formula that provides the opportunity for all EXIT associates to earn residual income. | 510 | 7 |
| John L Scott Realty | $15,000 | 5% royalty, $2,500 renewal | Technology, presentations, coaching, luxury market clients, marketing | 76 | 0 |
| Keller Williams | $35,000 | 6% royalty | Coaching, profit-sharing, international brand recognition | 743 | 2 |
| List4Less / Sell4Free | $29,000 | 5% royalty, $1,000 renewal | 95% commission retention | 9 | 0 |
| NextHome Inc | $2,750 to $6,750 | $185/month per agent or 6% | A fully automated and integrated system, state of the art proprietary technology platform with single sign on access, branding, marketing, advertising, recruiting, support, training and more | 200+ | 1 |
| RE/MAX | $12,500 to $35,000 | $5,000 to $17,500 renewal | Worldwide recognition, extensive training | 3679 | 105 in northern Illinois |
| Sotheby’s International Realty | $25,000 | 6% royalty | Operational support, international branding, recruiting, business resources, technology, ongoing support | 615 | 6 |
| United Country | $15,000 | $1,500 renewal | Differentiation for lifestyle properties in small cities, towns and country markets | 450 | 3 |
| Weichert | $25,000 | 6% royalty | One on one support, tech, business plans, workshops | 388 | 15 |
*Data included in this chart was verified by each individual company and is accurate as of June 21, 2017.