--- title: "Courtyard by Marriott Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the Courtyard by Marriott franchise. Investment: $11.1M-$23.5M. 1,097 locations. Grade: b. Financial performance disclosed." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/courtyard-by-marriott" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/courtyard-by-marriott" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/courtyard-by-marriott.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "Courtyard by Marriott" sector: "Real Estate & Lodging" category: "Hotels, Motels & Lodging Brands" investment_low: "11131210" investment_high: "23540410" total_units: "994" grade: "B" operating_model: "Semi-Absentee | Multi-Unit | Passive" --- # Courtyard by Marriott Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the Courtyard by Marriott franchise. Investment: $11.1M-$23.5M. 1,097 locations. Grade: b. Financial performance disclosed. ## At a glance - **Brand:** Courtyard by Marriott - **Sector:** Real Estate & Lodging - **Category:** Hotels, Motels & Lodging Brands - **Total initial investment:** $11,131,210 – $23,540,410 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 994 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** B - **Operating model:** Semi-Absentee | Multi-Unit | Passive - **States with locations:** AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY ## Courtyard by Marriott — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a Courtyard by Marriott franchise? Total investment ranges from $11.1 million to $23.5 million depending on property size, location, and local development costs. This encompasses real estate acquisition or lease, construction, furnishings, and initial operating capital. Significant upfront capital and secured financing are essential requirements. ### What is the initial franchise fee for Courtyard by Marriott, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $90,000, a one-time payment granting the right to use the Courtyard brand and access Marriott's systems, reservations network, and support infrastructure for the initial 20-year term. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do Courtyard by Marriott franchisees pay? Franchisees pay a 6 percent royalty on gross room revenue, funding ongoing brand management, technology, reservations, and support services. There are no separate technology fees; all systems are included in the royalty structure. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a Courtyard by Marriott franchise? Franchisees typically need $3 million to $5 million in liquid capital and access to debt financing for the remaining investment. Lenders evaluate personal net worth, hospitality experience, and the property's cash flow projections and debt service capacity. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for Courtyard by Marriott franchisees? Marriott works with preferred lenders and SBA loan programs familiar with hotel franchise financing. Franchisees should engage commercial real estate lenders and explore Marriott's developer partner relationships for capital introduction and financing guidance. ### What initial training does Courtyard by Marriott provide to new franchise owners? Courtyard provides 1,357 hours of training across classroom instruction (1,159 hours) and on-the-job training (198 hours) covering hotel operations, guest services, management, and brand standards. Training occurs at Marriott facilities and the franchisee's property before opening. ### What ongoing support and resources does Courtyard by Marriott offer after opening? Ongoing support includes dedicated franchise and revenue management teams, technology systems access, national marketing campaigns, and Bonvoy loyalty program integration. Annual certification, periodic audits, and continuous training opportunities ensure operational compliance and performance optimization. ### Does Courtyard by Marriott assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? Franchisees are responsible for identifying and securing real estate, though Marriott provides guidance on market selection and property standards. The brand targets highway-accessible locations, downtown markets, and hospitality clusters suited to mid-scale travelers. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with Courtyard by Marriott? Owner-operators oversee daily hotel management, guest services, housekeeping, maintenance, and front office operations. Semi-absentee owners hire a general manager but remain involved in financial oversight, strategic decisions, and brand standard compliance. ### Can Courtyard by Marriott be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? Owner-operators run the property directly and typically achieve higher margins through hands-on cost control. Semi-absentee owners employ a GM, reducing involvement but also profitability, and suit investors with multiple properties or other business commitments. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with Courtyard by Marriott? This opportunity suits serious, capital-intensive investors committed to the hospitality sector long-term. It demands strong operational discipline and ongoing involvement in strategic decisions rather than passive income. The 20-year term reflects a permanent business commitment. ### What territories or markets are currently available for Courtyard by Marriott franchise ownership? Courtyard has 840 franchised units of 1,097 total, with active development across all 50 states. Availability depends on local market saturation and Marriott's development strategy, requiring direct inquiry into specific geographies. ### Does Courtyard by Marriott offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? The brand supports multi-unit developers and area development agreements. Large developers can secure exclusive territories and develop multiple properties under negotiated terms, leveraging economies of scale and operational efficiency. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with Courtyard by Marriott? Marriott offers area development agreements granting exclusive rights to develop multiple Courtyard locations within a defined geography. Terms typically include development schedules, performance milestones, and profit-sharing or royalty incentives for high-volume developers. ### How does Courtyard by Marriott approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Hotel profitability depends on occupancy rate, average daily rate, and operational efficiency. Courtyard properties typically target 70-75 percent occupancy and RevPAR (revenue per available room) alignment with regional benchmarks. Investors should model conservative occupancy and market-rate ADR for their location. ### What sets Courtyard by Marriott apart from competitors in its market segment? Courtyard differentiates through Marriott's global brand recognition, Bonvoy loyalty network with 200 million members, and sophisticated revenue management tools. The mid-scale positioning balances premium brand perception with accessible pricing, capturing broad market demand unlike luxury or economy segments. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/courtyard-by-marriott - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/courtyard-by-marriott* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*