Which has more SBA loans, Best Western or Motel 6?

Best Western has 882 SBA 7(a) historical approvals; Motel 6 has 613. Best Western has the deeper public lender track record, which generally translates into faster pre-qualification and broader lender familiarity.

What is the default rate for Best Western vs Motel 6 SBA loans?

Best Western's SBA default rate is 9.0%, versus 2.3% for Motel 6. Motel 6 has the cleaner loss profile, which capital sources weigh when pricing the next deal in the brand.

When did Best Western and Motel 6 peak in SBA lending volume?

Best Western's SBA approval peak was 2016 with 53 loans; Motel 6's peak was 2021 with 78. A more recent peak (currently Motel 6) generally indicates fresher lender appetite and easier financing today.

Which states have the most Best Western and Motel 6 SBA loans?

Best Western leads in TX with 161 SBA-funded units; Motel 6 leads in CA with 109. The brand that matches your operating state typically closes faster because local lenders already know the unit economics.

Side by Side Comparison

Best Western vs Motel 6

Quick Answer

Best Western vs Motel 6: Best Western costs $510K to $2.8M to open; Motel 6 costs $195K to $8.2M. Best Western has 702 units, Motel 6 has 1,195. SBA loan history: Best Western = 882 loans (9.0% default); Motel 6 = 613 loans (2.3% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.

Best Western vs Motel 6: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis

Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.

Capital Intensity

Motel 6 requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($195K vs $510K for Best Western), a 161% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Best Western versus $25K for Motel 6, Motel 6 has the lower entry fee.

System Scale & Tenure

On scale, Motel 6 operates 1,195 units to Best Western's 702. Best Western has been operating 80 years (founded 1946) versus 64 for Motel 6 (founded 1962), a 16-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.

SBA Lending Profile

Best Western has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 882 7(a) approvals compared with 613 for Motel 6. Best Western's peak SBA year was 2016 (53 loans); Motel 6's peak was 2021 (78 loans). Motel 6's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Best Western has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 161. Motel 6 leads in CA, with 109. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Best Western deals is $1.4M vs $2.1M for Motel 6, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.

Risk Signal

SBA default rates are 9.0% for Best Western and 2.3% for Motel 6, Motel 6 has the cleaner SBA loss record by 6.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 41 (Fair) for Best Western and 69 (Strong) for Motel 6, giving Motel 6 the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.

Best Western

Hotels

Motel 6

Hotels

69 11W

Health & Performance

FPI Score	41/100	69/100
Health Tier	Fair	Strong
Confidence	N/A	N/A
Lending Trend	Declining	Declining

SBA Lending

SBA Loans	882	613
SBA Volume	–	–
Default Rate	9.0%	2.3%
Peer Tier	major	major

Investment & Costs

Total Investment	$510K to $2.8M	$195K to $8.2M
Franchise Fee	$50K	$25K
Royalty Rate	N/A	5%
Ad Fund	N/A	3%
Liquid Capital	N/A	$100K
Net Worth Required	N/A	N/A

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Item 19 Status

Not Disclosed

Disclosed

System Size & Operations

Total Units	702	1,195
Franchised Units	702	1,195
Company Owned	–	–
Term Length	N/A	15 yrs

Brand Information

Year Founded	1946	1962
Franchising Since	1960	2005
Years Franchising	66 yrs	21 yrs
Headquarters	Phoenix, AZ	Carrollton, TX
Category	Hotels	Hotels
Website	bestwestern.com	motel6.com
FDD Year	2021	2025

Which Is Better, Best Western or Motel 6?

Lower upfront capital required

Motel 6

Best Western: $510K starting · Motel 6: $195K starting

More SBA lender confidence

Best Western

Best Western: 882 SBA loans · Motel 6: 613 SBA loans

Lower SBA default rate

Motel 6

Best Western: 9.0% · Motel 6: 2.3%

Larger system & brand presence

Motel 6

Best Western: 702 units · Motel 6: 1,195 units

More lender financing options

Best Western

Best Western: 275 unique lenders · Motel 6: 192 unique lenders

Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.

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About These Franchises

Best Western

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Motel 6

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Best Western vs Motel 6: Franchise Funding Comparison

Comparing Best Western and Motel 6 is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $195K to $8.2M.

Best Western has 882 SBA loans on record and Motel 6 has 613. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.

SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.

Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.

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Best Western vs Motel 6, Frequently Asked Questions

Which is a better franchise investment, Best Western or Motel 6?

Compare Best Western vs Motel 6 franchise costs, FDD data, royalty rates, unit counts, and SBA lending history side by side above. The best franchise depends on your capital, market, and risk tolerance, not a single ranking. Use the decision matrix above to see which brand wins on each financing dimension.

How much does a Best Western franchise cost compared to Motel 6?

Best Western requires $510K to $2.8M in total initial investment with a $50K franchise fee. Motel 6 requires $195K to $8.2M with a $25K franchise fee. All numbers come from official Franchise Disclosure Document filings.

Can I finance Best Western or Motel 6 with an SBA loan?

Both brands appear on the SBA Franchise Directory and have funded SBA 7(a) loans: Best Western has 882 SBA loans on record; Motel 6 has 613. SBA 7(a) is the most common franchise financing vehicle, offering up to $5M with 10% down. PeerSense routes your deal to lenders who have already approved the brand.

Which has a lower SBA default rate, Best Western or Motel 6?

Best Western: 9.0% SBA default rate. Motel 6: 2.3% SBA default rate. Lower default rates mean lenders quote tighter rates and underwrite faster.

Compare Best Western to other franchises Compare Motel 6 to other franchises Browse all Hotels franchises

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Page Review

Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense

PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page

Last reviewed October 2, 2026LinkedIn profile About Edward Freeman