How many company-owned Best Western outlets were operating at the end of 2022?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Outlet Type | Year | Outlets at the Start of Year | Outlets at the End of Year | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed | 2022 | 1,878 | 1,855 | -23 |
| Company Owned | 2022 | 0 | 2 | +2 |
Source: Item 20 — Outlets and Franchisee Information (FDD pages 93–107)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, at the end of 2022, Best Western had 2 company-owned outlets. At the start of 2022, there were zero company-owned outlets, and during the year, 2 additional outlets were opened, resulting in a net change of +2.
It is important to note that while Best Western does operate company-owned outlets, the vast majority of their locations are licensed. This is a common arrangement in the franchise industry, where the franchisor focuses on brand management and support while franchisees manage the day-to-day operations of individual locations.
For a prospective franchisee, the number of company-owned locations can provide some insight into the franchisor's direct involvement in the business and their ability to test new strategies or concepts. However, given the small number of company-owned Best Western locations, franchisees should focus on the performance and support provided to licensed locations when evaluating the opportunity.