What was the net change in the number of licensed Best Western outlets during 2023?
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 |
| 2023 | 1,855 | 1,801 | -54 | |
| 2024 | 1,801 | 1,768 | -33 | |
| Company Owned | 2022 | 0 | 2 | +2 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total Outlets | 2022 | 1,878 | 1,857 | -21 |
| 2023 | 1,857 | 1,803 | -54 |
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, the net change in the number of licensed Best Western outlets during 2023 was a decrease of 54. At the start of 2023, there were 1,855 licensed outlets, and by the end of the year, the number had dropped to 1,801. This represents a continuation of the trend from 2022, where there was a net decrease of 23 licensed outlets.
For a prospective franchisee, this information indicates a potential contraction in the number of Best Western branded properties. While not necessarily indicative of poor performance, it could suggest that Best Western is focusing on quality over quantity, or that existing franchisees are choosing not to renew their licenses. It is important to note that this net change does not distinguish between closures, terminations, or non-renewals, all of which could have different implications.
It would be prudent for a potential Best Western franchisee to investigate the reasons behind this decrease. Understanding whether the closures were concentrated in specific geographic areas or property types, and what factors contributed to these changes, could provide valuable insight into the overall health and future prospects of the Best Western franchise system. Further research into franchisee satisfaction and renewal rates could also be beneficial.