What is the Engel & Volkers Group?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Engel & Völkers group of affiliated companies (the "Engel & Völkers Group"), are firms of real estate agents with extensive experience handling upscale properties under the Engel & Völkers name in Germany and other countries (e.g., Spain, Italy, U.K. and South Africa). The prior business experience of the Engel & Völkers Group includes more than 40 years operating Engel & Völkers real estate offices, more than 20 years operating and franchising Engel & Völkers real estate brokerages in the form of Property Shops. The Engel & Völkers Group channels the experience from the franchising of residential real estate brokerages into the yachting segment and its predecessor, Engel & Völkers Yachting GmbH, a German limited liability company, started the franchising of yachting brokerages in the form of Yachting Shops in June 2008.
The Engel & Völkers Group history goes back to 1977, when Engel & Cie was established to specialize in the sale and rental of top-quality residential premises in the suburbs of Hamburg, Germany. In 1988, Engel & Völkers GmbH established a division for the sale and rental of commercial property, and opened the first office for the sale of residential property/holiday homes outside Hamburg in the Tegernsee (Bavaria) and coastal areas of Germany. Many other offices followed and in 1989 Engel & Völkers GmbH opened its first office abroad in Majorca, Spain in an exclusive partnership with a third party.
In 1996, the offices of the Engel & Völkers Group were transformed into so-called "shops", allowing prospective clients to view the offerings in the shop windows. In 1998, Engel & Völkers GmbH began offering franchises to operate real estate brokerages in the form of Property Shops using the Engel & Völkers real estate brokerage franchise system (described below) in the residential real estate segment and, from 2002 on, in the commercial segment. Shortly afterwards, various franchised offices were opened in the greater Hamburg area, Hanover, Bremen and Berlin, Germany.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Engel & Volkers Franchise Disclosure Document, the Engel & Volkers Group is a collection of affiliated companies that operate as real estate agents. These firms specialize in upscale properties and have extensive experience under the Engel & Volkers name, particularly in countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, the U.K., and South Africa. The Engel & Volkers Group has over 40 years of experience operating real estate offices and more than 20 years in operating and franchising real estate brokerages known as Property Shops.
The Engel & Volkers Group's history dates back to 1977 with the establishment of Engel & Cie, which focused on high-quality residential sales and rentals in Hamburg, Germany. By 1988, the company expanded to include commercial property and opened offices outside Hamburg. In 1996, the offices were transformed into "shops" with window displays for property viewing. The company began franchising real estate brokerages in 1998, offering Property Shops in both residential and commercial segments.
The Engel & Volkers Group has also extended its franchising model into the yachting sector, starting in June 2008 through Engel & Völkers Yachting GmbH. The Engel & Volkers System, which encompasses the group's experience, includes intellectual property rights, practical knowledge in running real estate brokerages, specific design standards, system documentations, an integrated product suite, and ongoing support in business administration, branding, and marketing. This system is continuously updated to adapt to changing market conditions, ensuring franchisees have access to the latest tools and knowledge.