About Coldwell Banker® Franchise
Coldwell Banker is a globally recognized residential real estate franchise brand under parent company Realogy Holdings Corp., with franchise opportunities dating back to 1982.
This exemption registration covers the Coldwell Banker brand across specific states, enabling independent brokerages to affiliate with one of the most established names in real estate.
The franchise fee is $25,000 for the main office, $5,000 for each additional branch office, and $1,000 for a limited purpose office.
Coldwell Banker® Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$31K
Average Investment
$262K
Maximum Investment
$492K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 5.5% of Gross Revenue of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 0.50% of Gross Revenue | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $31,175 – $491,875 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $31K–$492K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (5.5% of Gross Revenue) and marketing fee (0.50% of Gross Revenue) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $0 | $25,000 |
| Real Estate | $0 | $0 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $0 | $105,000 |
| Building Signs | $1,000 | $20,000 |
| Yard Signs | $1,900 | $5,000 |
| Open House Signs | $800 | $1,250 |
| Miscellaneous Rider Signs | $100 | $300 |
| Name Badges | $150 | $750 |
| Miscellaneous | $250 | $500 |
| Printed Materials | $5,100 | $7,500 |
| Other Advertising (local)/Grand Opening Promotion | $0 | $10,000 |
| Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® Office Design Elements | $0 | $50,000 |
| Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® certification course (per person) | $575 | $575 |
| Insurance | $500 | $4,000 |
| Legal Expenses | $0 | $4,000 |
| Coldwell Banker® Connect – Travel Expenses and Costs | $800 | $2,700 |
| Website | $0 | $10,000 |
| Multiple Listing Services | $0 | $3,000 |
| Data Feed Transmission | $0 | $5,000 |
| Computer Equipment and Electronic Data System | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Facility and Space Planning | $9,000 | $17,500 |
| Furnishings and Communications Equipment | $27,000 | $87,500 |
| Security and Other Deposits | $7,500 | $17,700 |
| Prepaid Business Expenses | $3,000 | $4,600 |
| Additional Funds (first 3 months after opening) | $15,000 | $100,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $5,000 |
| Renewal Fee | No renewal rights. If we grant you an additional term, we may require you to sign our then current Franchise Agreement or a Term Extension Addendum with materially different terms. |
| Technology Fee | Currently no separate fee for CRM and Consumer Platform/Productivity Suite; Lead Management System $0-$5,000 per year (currently no additional cost with CRM/Productivity Suite); Computer Hardware and Software Maintenance and Support $1,000 - $2,000 or more per year. |
| Audit Fee | $450 per day |
| Minimum Annual Royalty Fee | Will vary |
| Holding Over – Royalty Fee | Twice the Royalty Fee otherwise due |
| Property Management Fees | 1.5% of Gross Revenue from Property Management Services |
| Lead Management System (Leads Engine) | $0 - $5,000 per year |
| Computer Hardware and Software Maintenance and Support | $1,000 - $2,000 or more per year |
| Late Charges and Interest | Highest legal rate (not to exceed 1.5% per month) plus highest allowable legal late charge |
| Coldwell Banker® Connect Fees and Expenses | See remarks (travel and incidental expenses for additional attendees) |
| Other Education Fees | Vary by course and duration |
| Special Assistance | As negotiated |
| Gen Blue Experience® | $599- $699 per registrant for in-person event |
| Leadership Summit | $449 - $499 per registrant for in-person event |
| Liquidated Damages | See remarks (calculated based on monthly average of fees) |
| Costs and Attorney Fees | Will vary |
| Indemnification | Will vary |
| Taxes | Will vary |
| Relocation/Improvement Fees | Will vary |
| Insurance | Cost of insurance |
| Product/Service Fees | Will vary |
| Testing/Inspection Fees to Approve Supplier | See remarks |
| Limited Purpose Office Initial Franchise Fee | $1,000 |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | Two-and-one-half day program (in-person) |
| Classroom Training | 15.0 |
| On-the-Job Training | 0 |
| Training Location | At or near our Headquarters in New Jersey or virtually |
| Additional Training | Ongoing education courses, seminars or conferences (optional, fees apply). Luxury certification course (mandatory for Global Luxury office agents, one full day, $575 fee per agent). |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Description | Franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels controlled by the franchisor or its affiliates. The franchise is granted only for the specific Office(s) identified in the Franchise Agreement. While franchisees can solicit clients where their license permits, the franchisor and its affiliates retain the right to operate, franchise, or license other real estate brokerage businesses, including Coldwell Banker® offices and other brands, anywhere, including in immediate proximity to the franchisee's office, without compensation to the franchisee. Limited protected areas may be granted in writing for a specified term based on local market conditions, but these can be terminated if performance levels are not maintained. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | No renewal rights |
| Renewal Conditions | If we grant you an additional term, we may require you to sign our then current Franchise Agreement or a Term Extension Addendum with materially different terms. |
| Transfer Fee | $5,000 |
| Transfer Conditions | Current compliance with Franchise Agreement; transferee meets franchisor's standards for new franchisees; transferee agrees to abide by current or signs new franchise agreement; payment of $5,000 transfer fee; signing of a general release by transferor; payment or assumption of outstanding indebtedness; audit of operations; purchase of tail coverage on errors and omissions insurance policy naming franchisor as additional insured. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor can terminate for material breach, including non-payment of fees (30 days to cure), underreporting/underpayment of fees by 5% or more, refusal to permit audit, unauthorized transfer, subfranchising, failure to comply with laws, operating other business at franchise location using Marks, improper display of Marks, failure to open on time, creation of security interest without consent, or other material breaches. Non-curable defaults include suspension/revocation of Responsible Broker's license, conduct impairing brand goodwill, insolvency/bankruptcy, repeated defaults, material misrepresentation, operating a competing business, or abandonment of office. |
| Non-Compete Period | During the Term and 24 months after a Transfer of the Franchise (or the remaining Term, whichever is less) |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term, franchisee, owners, officers, guarantors, and Responsible Broker cannot engage in any other real estate brokerage business (except authorized Real Estate Related Excluded Business) or divert business. After a transfer, for 24 months (or remaining term, whichever is less), these individuals cannot operate, own, license, franchise, be employed by, or consult with any residential real estate brokerage within a two (2) mile radius of any Office operating as of the transfer date. Also, during the term, they cannot provide equipment, supplies, services, or operating materials to other franchisees or affiliates without prior written consent. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The franchisee, if an individual sole proprietor, or its Owners (if an entity), must participate in the management of the Franchise. The franchisee, Owners, office manager(s), and Responsible Broker must exercise continuous best efforts to maintain, develop, and promote the Franchise and enhance the brand's goodwill. A Responsible Broker, licensed in the state of operation, is required. All equity interest holders and their spouses must sign a Guaranty of Payment and Performance, making them jointly and severally liable for all financial obligations under the Franchise Agreement. |
| Required Suppliers | Approved Suppliers for trademark-bearing items (building signs, yard signs, stationery, business cards). |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must purchase trademark-bearing items from Approved Suppliers or receive prior written permission for alternatives. Franchisor may limit Approved Suppliers to obtain volume discounts and/or assure consistent quality and adequate supplies. Franchisor or RSG may revoke a supplier’s approved status. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | 0% to 5% of the price franchisees pay to Vendors for required items. In 2021, $1,736,929, or 0.02% of total Realogy Group revenue, was from required purchases or leases. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | Yes |
| Description | Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC or a related company may offer financing to assist with conversion costs or growth opportunities, based on factors like financial need, credit history, and market development. Financing is primarily offered through Conversion Promissory Notes (CPN) and Expansion Promissory Notes (Expansion Note). CPNs have a 9-year term with an annual opportunity for principal forgiveness based on Gross Revenue thresholds. Expansion Notes are interest-bearing, offered to existing franchisees for acquisitions or business expenses, with varying terms and a lump sum payment at maturity. Both require personal guarantees from equity holders and their spouses, and a security agreement for the franchise's assets. Default on any note can lead to acceleration of payments and termination of the franchise agreement. Franchisees waive various notices, rights, and defenses, and allow for confessed judgment upon default. |
Coldwell Banker® Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Coldwell Banker® does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Coldwell Banker® does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Coldwell Banker® Litigation & Risk Flags
1 Pending Action ListedReview the full FDD for details on pending litigation.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Coldwell Banker® System Growth
Total Units
2015
Franchised
1430
Company-Owned
585
Coldwell Banker® currently operates 1430 franchised locations and 585 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 50 | 66 | 1477 |
| 2020 | 40 | 76 | 1441 |
| 2021 | 57 | 68 | 1430 |
Transfers: 14 | Closures: 68
State Registrations
Registered in 15 states: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, UT, VA, WA, WI
Coldwell Banker® Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Coldwell Banker® franchise ranges from $31,175 to $491,875, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $25,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Coldwell Banker® charges a royalty fee of 5.5% of Gross Revenue of gross sales, plus a 0.50% of Gross Revenue contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Coldwell Banker® Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Coldwell Banker® to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Coldwell Banker® does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Coldwell Banker® has been franchising since 1982. The FDD shows an investment range of $31,175-$491,875, a 5.5% of Gross Revenue royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There are 1 pending litigation action(s). Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $25,000 and the total investment ranges from $31,175 to $491,875 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Coldwell Banker® and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Coldwell Banker® or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com