When did Engel & Volkers begin operations in the United States?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We are a Delaware corporation that was incorporated on November 17, 2005. We began operations in February 2006 under the name Engel & Völkers U.S. Holdings, Inc. and we changed names to Engel & Völkers Americas, Inc. on February 28, 2018. We do business only under the names Engel & Völkers and Engel & Völkers Americas, Inc. Our principal place of business is at 430 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Our agents for service of process are disclosed in Exhibit B.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Engel & Volkers began operations in the United States in February 2006. At that time, the company was operating under the name Engel & Volkers U.S. Holdings, Inc. before changing to Engel & Volkers Americas, Inc. on February 28, 2018.
For prospective franchisees, this indicates the brand has been present in the U.S. market for nearly two decades. This provides a degree of established presence, though it is important to investigate the brand's performance and growth trajectory within the U.S. during that time. Understanding the historical context of Engel & Volkers' U.S. operations can help potential franchisees assess the brand's stability and market adaptation.
It is also important to note that Engel & Volkers offers both real estate brokerage and yachting brokerage franchises. The FDD specifies that the company began offering master franchises in the residential real estate segment in February 2006, and direct franchises in April 2011. Yachting brokerage franchises were first offered in October 2012, temporarily stopped as of December 31, 2014, and then re-offered starting in October 2019. This phased entry into different segments of the brokerage market may reflect strategic decisions about market entry and expansion.