What was the net change in the number of licensed Best Western outlets during the year 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 outlets during 2023 was -54. This means that Best Western had 54 fewer licensed outlets at the end of 2023 than it did at the beginning of the year. At the start of 2023, there were 1,855 licensed outlets, which decreased to 1,801 by the end of the year.
This decrease in licensed outlets could be due to several factors, such as terminations, non-renewals, or re acquisitions by Best Western. It is important to note that while the number of licensed outlets decreased, the number of company-owned outlets remained the same, with 2 outlets at both the start and end of 2023. This indicates that Best Western's overall decrease in total outlets is entirely attributed to the decrease in licensed locations.
For a prospective franchisee, this information highlights the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to outlet changes within the Best Western system. While a decrease in the number of locations does not automatically indicate a problem, it is a point worth investigating. Potential franchisees should inquire about the reasons for the net decrease, such as terminations or non-renewals, and assess whether these factors could impact their investment.