Start a Dream Vacations Franchise in 2026

Company Overview

About Dream Vacations

Industry	Recreation
Related Categories	Travel Agencies
Founded	1991
Parent Company	World Travel Holdings
Leadership	Brad and Jeff Tolkin, Co-CEOs/Chairmen
Corporate Address	1201 W. Cypress Creek Rd., #100 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Business Overview

Franchising Since	1992 (34 years)
# of employees at HQ	142
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.
# of Units	2,363 (as of 2025)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Dream Vacations franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$495 - $10,500
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$2,590 - $20,970
Veteran Incentives Definition: A discount or other incentive offered to military veterans who buy a franchise with this company.	30% off franchise fee; training fee waived for business partner; training fee waived for first veteran/military spouse associate, reduced by 50% for additional veteran/military associates
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	1.5%-3%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	5 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

In-House Financing	Dream Vacations offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

Classroom Training	82 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	Yes
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	Yes
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	No

Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Dream Vacations landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where Dream Vacations ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

Ranked #1 in Travel Agencies in 2025

Best of the Best

Ranked #36 in 2026

Franchise 500

Ranked #11 in 2025

Fastest-Growing Franchises

Ranked #12 in 2023

Top Home-Based & Mobile Franchises

Ranked #5 in 2021

Top Part-Time Franchises

Ranked #32 in 2024

Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Ranked #2 in 2025

Top Franchises for Less Than $50,000

Ranked #3 in 2025

Top Franchises For Veterans

Dream Vacations is a business travel agency that offers deals to travel-related businesses. They typically provide vacations, cruises, and other travel services using a proprietary system. As a brand, they may provide packages with hotel deals, travel insurance, and grand tours. These deals may be for individuals or groups including couples, business associates, and families.

Dream Vacations was founded in 1991 by its parent company World Travel Holdings and began franchising in 1992. They are headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Why You May Want to Open a Dream Vacations Franchise

Dream Vacations may be one of the best operating travel franchises. The brand values its repeat customers, with their customer ratings generally hitting high points. Opening a Dream Vacations franchise might allow you to be affiliated with a well-regarded business and give you access to the resources you may need to thrive as a business professional.

Dream Vacations may have various websites that you can customize to your liking. The websites might be available on both computers and mobile phones with interactive interfaces. With Dream Vacations, you may be invited to fantastic meet-ups like conventions at sea, where you can meet and interact with your peer franchisees.

What Might Make a Dream Vacations Franchise a Good Choice?

To start a Dream Vacations franchise, you should make sure you are financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. They may offer in-house financing options to cover the franchise fee. In addition, you should prepare yourself to cover ongoing fees, including royalty fees.

Franchisees may buy and run this franchise from the comforts of their home. You can also run your Dream Vacations franchise as a part-time business. There may be a discount available to U.S. veterans. You might not need experience in the travel industry before you can open your franchise, though it might be beneficial.

Dream Vacations usually provides a few dozen hours of training that covers what you need to know to operate your franchise effectively. It also offers access to 24-hour continuous support. This unique franchise may be known for being innovative and strives to offer the best technology. Dream Vacations has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in installing cutting-edge technology.

Opening a Dream Vacations Franchise

Before making any financial commitments or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. Additionally, you may benefit from speaking to a financial planner and franchise attorney.

A Dream Vacations franchise is designed to accommodate most people. Because of the brands' support and training, many people may meet the qualifications. To start your Dream Vacations franchise, you may need to fill out the request information form. From there, you may go through building your franchise with the support of the franchise brand representative.

Your experience level, startup capital, and location may be accessed, and you might be offered options and deals that are available to you as you start your journey with this dream travel franchise.

More from Dream Vacations

Dream Vacations is the best travel agency franchise, ranked #1 for the past 5 years in a row!

Discover A First-Class Business

Dream Vacations is the travel industry’s category leader and a truly first-class franchise opportunity. With more than 2,300 franchise owners across the United States, Dream Vacations sets the standard for excellence in the travel industry for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Dream Vacations is your ticket to a business that takes off – part accelerator, part incubator. With award-winning marketing, cutting-edge technology, thoughtful training, and caring support, franchise owners are equipped to run a modern travel business and build something that reflects their goals and lifestyle.

Designed to Take You Further

Dream Vacations operates on a proven franchise business model designed to make owning a travel business engaging, supported, and scalable. Franchise owners obtain a “business in a box” – one with first-class booking technology, marketing systems, and branding – allowing them to focus on serving clients, closing sales, and growing revenue from day one.

Every Dream Vacations franchise owner receives:

Full, industry-leading commission on all bookings
Cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) resources
A powerful CRM and booking platform
Automated marketing and lead-generation systems
An industry-leading customizable website
National brand recognition – a name that positions you to sell it all
Strong supplier relationships across the travel industry
Ongoing coaching, training, and business development support

The Power of a National Network

With more than 2,300 franchise owners nationwide and the backing of World Travel Holdings, Dream Vacations operates one of the largest travel business networks in America. That scale delivers:

Exclusive pricing and close partnerships with cruise lines, tour operators, resorts, and more
Industry-leading commission structures
Significant marketing and technology investments
An extensive network of peer support and collaboration

For franchise owners, this means competing at the highest level while running a business that is entirely their own.

Built for Growth, Travel Enthusiasts, & Entrepreneurs

Dream Vacations is built for long-term success. As travel demand continues to grow and consumers rely on professional advisors, franchise owners are positioned at the center of a thriving global industry.

From ocean and river cruising to luxury resorts, guided tours, and custom vacations, franchise owners sell across every major segment of leisure travel, with support and guidance at every step.

Bring Your Drive to Succeed, Dream Vacations Brings the Rest

Dream Vacations franchise owners come from all backgrounds – corporate professionals, military veterans, educators, entrepreneurs, experienced travel advisors, parents returning to the workforce, and people ready for a more flexible, fulfilling lifestyle.

What matters most is curiosity, commitment, and the desire to build something meaningful. Dream Vacations provides the roadmap, technology, and training to turn that drive into a thriving business.

Support at Every Mile and Every Milestone

From day one, franchise owners are paired with a dedicated Business Development Manager and a committed, compassionate support team. Training is delivered through a robust virtual platform with thousands of on-demand modules and live coaching, along with an intensive initial training program and events held across the country and around the world.

Franchise owners are supported at every stage, with the guidance and resources to keep their business moving forward.

High-Value Business, Low-Cost Entry

Dream Vacations offers one of the most accessible paths into franchise ownership, with an initial franchise fee of $10,500, flexible financing, and discount programs for:

Veterans & military families
Current travel professionals
Community heroes (educators, first responders, medical professionals)

With one of the highest commission structures in the industry and a home-based model with no inventory and low overhead, Dream Vacations is designed to support franchise owners as they invest in growth, whatever their background and whatever their vision.

Time to Live Your Dream

Dream Vacations gives franchise owners the tools and strategies to turn their love of travel and passion for success into a business that feels as global as it does personal.

Share what you love. Help people travel smarter. Experience more.

Dream Vacations.
Welcome to first-class business.

Disclaimer

The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.

Updated: December 12th, 2022

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