What do the 'Entrance Fees' for Best Western membership consist of?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the entrance fees consist of two parts: an Affiliation Fee and an Evaluation Fee. The Affiliation Fee has a minimum of $45,000 for properties with 50 rooms or less. For properties with more than 50 rooms, an additional $200 is added for each room, up to a maximum of 1,000 rooms. In addition to the Affiliation Fee, there is also a $4,000 Evaluation Fee.

These entrance fees are one-time fees that must accompany the membership application. The Evaluation Fee is non-refundable and covers the administrative costs associated with processing the application. The Affiliation Fee is held by Best Western as a good-faith deposit until the application is processed.

Prospective franchisees should note that these entrance fees are just the initial costs associated with becoming a Best Western member. There are also ongoing fees such as Annual Dues, Monthly Fees, and various assessments for advertising, sales, marketing, and technology. These ongoing fees are subject to change by the Best Western Board of Directors.