What is the range for the initial franchise fee for a Remax franchise?
Remax Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of expenditure | Amount | Method of payment | When due | To whom payment is to be made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee2 | $17,500 - $37,500 | Lump Sum or Financed2 | Upon Signing Franchise Agreement | RE/MAX, LLC |
| Office set-up/improvements3 | $3,500 - $72,000 | As Agreed | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Exterior office signage4 | $500 - $10,000 | As Agreed | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Furniture, fixtures, and equipment5 | $2,000 - $20,000 | Vendor’s terms | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Computer System6 | $4,000 - $26,000 | Vendor’s terms | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Inventory and supplies7 | $500 - $4,000 | As Agreed | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Education fees and expenses8 | $4,000 - $9,000 | Lump Sum | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Insurance9 | $2,000 - $6,000 | Vendor’s terms | Before Opening | Third Parties / Rated Carriers |
| Licenses, Grand Opening, Utilities, | $1,000 - $11,000 | As Incurred | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Security Deposit, and other | ||||
| miscellaneous opening costs10 | ||||
| Additional funds - 3 months11 | $10,000 - $50,000 | As Incurred | As Incurred | Third Parties |
| Total12 | $45,000 - $245,500 |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 43–47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Remax's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee ranges from $17,500 to $37,500. This fee is payable as a lump sum when signing the Franchise Agreement with RE/MAX, LLC. The FDD specifies that this initial franchise fee is non-refundable.
Prospective Remax franchisees should note that this fee is just one component of the total initial investment, which the FDD estimates to be between $45,000 and $245,500. Other expenses include office setup, signage, furniture, computer systems, and initial operating capital.
It is important to carefully consider the payment terms and refund policies for each expense. While the initial franchise fee is non-refundable, payments to third parties may be refundable or financed, depending on the specific vendor's policies. Remax also offers financing options for the initial franchise fee, detailed further in Item 10 of the FDD, which involves signing a promissory note.