Century 21 Real Estate
Health Score
55 Our derived Health Score (1–100) = growth (30%) + fees (20%) + scale (20%) + transparency (15%) + data quality (15%) no_item19system_shrinkingthree_year_unit_decline
Investment Range Total estimated initial investment from the FDD, including franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and working capital.
$35K–$466K
Franchise Fee One-time upfront fee paid to the franchisor for the right to operate under their brand.
$0–$25,000
Royalty Ongoing fee paid to the franchisor, typically a percentage of gross revenue, paid weekly or monthly.
6%
Gross Revenue (per transaction close); Property Management Services assessed separately at 1.5% of Gross Revenue from Property Management
Total Units Total number of franchised and company-owned locations currently operating.
1,734
-4% growth
Initial Investment Breakdown
| Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $0 | $25,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements (Conversion Office) | $0 | $105,000 |
| Computer Equipment and Electronic Data System | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Signs — Exterior | $700 | $20,000 |
| Yard Signs / Posts / Frames | $5,200 | $10,000 |
| Open House Signs | $800 | $2,000 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery | $5,100 | $7,500 |
| Website | $0 | $30,000 |
| Insurance Deposits and Premiums | $500 | $4,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months — Conversion Office) | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Additional Funds for New Start-Up Office (additional) | $35,000 | $60,000 |
| Total | $34,670 | $466,300 |
Financial Performance
This franchisor does not disclose financial performance data (Item 19).
Unit Growth
| Year | Total Units | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,870 | — | — |
| 2023 | 1,807 | — | — |
| 2024 | 1,734 | — | — |
Other Ongoing Fees
| Fee | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Monthly Royalty Fee | $$500/month minimum (CPI-adjusted annually) | monthly |
| Property Management Fee | $1.5% of Gross Revenue from Property Management Services | per transaction |
| Computer Software Maintenance and Support | $$1,000–$3,000/year | annually |
| One21 Conference Registration | $$685–$755/registrant (first year complimentary for new franchisees) | annually |
| International Leadership Academy (ILA) Fee | $Up to $399/person (first attendee complimentary for new direct franchisees) | as incurred |
| Audit Fees | $Past due fees + interest (Prime + 2%); audit costs ($450/day min) if deficiency ≥5% over 3 months | as incurred |
| Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Fees | $$0–$3,000 (initial); ongoing monthly fees vary by MLS | monthly |
Quick Facts
Fee Burden Combined percentage of gross revenue paid in ongoing fees (royalty + advertising/marketing fund).
6.5%
royalty + ad fund
Franchised Number of locations owned by independent franchisees, not the franchisor.
1,734
Company-Owned Locations owned directly by the franchisor. High ratios can signal corporate confidence — or difficulty selling franchises.
0
Explore More
Free Consultation
Seriously considering Century 21 Real Estate?
A franchise consultant can verify the Item 19 numbers with real franchisee contacts, flag territory conflicts, and walk you through the FDD before you sign. Their fee is paid by the franchisor — your consultation is free.
Source: FDD filed in MN, 2025. Extracted 2026-04-05.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Century 21 Real Estate a franchise?
- Yes, Century 21 Real Estate is a franchise with 1,734 locations worldwide. Prospective owners purchase the right to operate under the Century 21 Real Estate brand and system by signing a franchise agreement and paying a franchise fee. The full terms are disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
- How much does it cost to open a Century 21 Real Estate franchise?
- The total initial investment for a Century 21 Real Estate franchise ranges from $35K to $466K, according to the 2025 FDD. This includes the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and initial working capital.
- Does Century 21 Real Estate disclose franchise earnings?
- Century 21 Real Estate does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not publicly disclose revenue or earnings data for franchisees. Prospective buyers should request this information directly from existing franchisees listed in Item 20.
- How many Century 21 Real Estate franchise locations are there?
- As of the 2025 FDD, Century 21 Real Estate has 1,734 total units (-4% growth rate).