Coldwell Banker vs Century 21: Franchise Comparison 2024

Quick Answer

Century 21 and Coldwell Banker are both owned by Anywhere Real Estate Inc. and share similar 6% royalty structures. Century 21 requires an initial investment of $25,000 to $525,000, offering a scalable entry point compared to Coldwell Banker's typically higher-tier market positioning.

Source: FranchiseStack · July 2026

Based on analysis of 192 franchises in the FranchiseStack database, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker represent the traditional percentage-based royalty model in real estate. Century 21 features an investment range of $25K to $525K with a 6.00% royalty fee. This contrasts with flat-fee competitors like RE/MAX, which charges a 0.00% royalty, or low-overhead virtual models like eXp Realty, which requires only $3K to $8K initially.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the royalty fee for Century 21 vs Coldwell Banker?

Century 21 charges a 6.00% royalty fee. Coldwell Banker typically charges a similar 6.00% royalty, as both brands are managed under the same parent company, Anywhere Real Estate Inc.

How much does it cost to start a Century 21 franchise?

The total initial investment for a Century 21 franchise ranges from $25,000 to $525,000, depending on office size and location.

Is Century 21 cheaper than RE/MAX?

Century 21 has a lower minimum entry point ($25K) than RE/MAX ($39K), but RE/MAX uses a 0% royalty model with fixed monthly fees, whereas Century 21 takes 6% of gross revenue.

Which real estate franchise has the lowest investment?

Among analyzed brands, eXp Realty offers the lowest investment range at $3,000 to $8,000, followed by Jan-Pro in home services at $4,000.

Are Coldwell Banker and Century 21 the same company?

They are separate brands but share the same parent company, Anywhere Real Estate Inc., which also owns brands like Sotheby's International Realty and ERA.