Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express

Hotels
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2024 Franchise 500 Rank
#46 Ranked #156 last year
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Initial investment
$12.5M - $24.1M
Units as of 2024
4,396 Increase 3.7% over 3 years

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express may be one of the most recognizable hotel brands in the world. Founded in 1952, the company seeks to remedy the lack of affordable accommodations for families. They offer midscale to luxury rooms and value and dependability. Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express has four tiers: 

  • Holiday Inn

  • Holiday Inn Express

  • Holiday Inn Club Vacations

  • Holiday Inn Resort

Each tier boasts a worldwide presence, with the Express Holiday Inn having the most open locations of the four—over 2,400! If you want to be the owner of a franchisethat’s all about comfort, modern conveniences, and quality stays, a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express franchise may be a good option for you. 

Why You May Want to Open a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express Franchise

Have you ever dreamt about running your own hotel? With a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express franchise, you just might be able to.

And you may not have to worry about establishing your hotel as a trusted name. Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express already has a positive, time-tested reputation to back it up. New locations may continue popping up regularly. And with many Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express locations run through a franchise agreement, you could receive access to a global support network and top-tier marketing strategies.

What Might Make a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express Franchise a Good Choice?

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express has thousands of locations open across the United States to go along with over 1,000 locations internationally. With Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express being such a well-known brand, your hotel might be a top choice for weary travelers and holiday planners. 

You should make sure that you are financially ready to make an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include royalty fees and potential renewal fees.

An ideal franchisee for Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express is someone who is committed to quality customer service. They should have strong morals and respect for their community. Franchisees should be more complimentary to guests than the shampoos left on the bathroom counter. Does it sound like a good fit for you? 

How Do You Start a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express Franchise?

Are you thinking about opening your own Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express location? During the process, a representative might contact you to discuss the details of opening a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express franchise. This could be a great time to ask questions, especially about the location you'd prefer. 

Once IHG Development approves you as a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express franchisee, they typically connect you with a Hotel Openings Services & Transitions (HOST) team member. Your HOST team member may support you throughout the development of your hotel.

You can start your Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express franchise in a few different ways. You can build from the ground up, convert an existing hotel, develop your hotel in a mixed-use location (retail and lodging), or combine two brands side-by-side. This flexibility might make it easy to work with the brand and develop your new or existing hotel.

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Company Overview

About Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express

Industry Lodging
Related Categories Hotels & Motels
Founded 1952
Parent Company IHG Hotels & Resorts
Leadership Jolyon Bulley, CEO, Americas
Corporate Address Three Ravinia Dr., #100
Atlanta, GA 30346
Social Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram

Business Overview

Franchising Since 1954 (70 years)
# of employees at HQ 1,711
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.

This company is offering new franchises worldwide.

# of Units 4,396 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express 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 Information Circle
$50,000 - $75,000
Initial Investment Information Circle
$12,515,400 - $24,068,550
Royalty Fee Information Circle
5%-6%
Term of Agreement Information Circle
20 years (average)
Is franchise term renewable? Yes
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Financing Options

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

Third Party Financing Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

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

On-The-Job Training Varies
Classroom Training Varies
Ongoing Support
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Ad Templates
National 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? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
No
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Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

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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