Best Western vs Quality Inn
Best Western vs Quality Inn: Best Western costs $510K to $2.8M to open; Quality Inn costs $317K to $2.0M. Best Western has 702 units, Quality Inn has 819. SBA loan history: Best Western = 882 loans (9.0% default); Quality Inn = 1,191 loans (5.3% 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 Quality Inn: 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
Quality Inn requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($317K vs $510K for Best Western), a 61% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Best Western versus $40K for Quality Inn, Quality Inn has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Quality Inn operates 819 units to Best Western's 702. Quality Inn has been operating 87 years (founded 1939) versus 80 for Best Western (founded 1946), a 7-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Quality Inn has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 1,191 7(a) approvals compared with 882 for Best Western. Best Western's peak SBA year was 2016 (53 loans); Quality Inn's peak was 2015 (87 loans). Best Western's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Best Western deals is $1.4M vs $2.1M for Quality Inn, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 9.0% for Best Western and 5.3% for Quality Inn, Quality Inn has the cleaner SBA loss record by 3.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 41 (Fair) for Best Western and 69 (Strong) for Quality Inn, giving Quality Inn the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
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 | 1,191 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $510K to $2.8M | $317K to $2.0M |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 7.9% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 702 | 819 |
Franchised Units | 702 | 819 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 20 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1946 | 1939 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Phoenix, AZ | North Bethesda, MD |
Category | Hotels | Hotels |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2021 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Best Western or Quality Inn?
Lower upfront capital required
Quality Inn
Best Western: $510K starting · Quality Inn: $317K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Quality Inn
Best Western: 882 SBA loans · Quality Inn: 1,191 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Quality Inn
Best Western: 9.0% · Quality Inn: 5.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Quality Inn
Best Western: 702 units · Quality Inn: 819 units
More lender financing options
Quality Inn
Best Western: 275 unique lenders · Quality Inn: 288 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.
Need Funding for Best Western or Quality Inn?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Best Western vs Quality Inn: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Best Western and Quality Inn is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $317K to $2.8M.
Best Western has 882 SBA loans on record and Quality Inn has 1,191. 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.
Best Western vs Quality Inn, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Best Western or Quality Inn?
How much does a Best Western franchise cost compared to Quality Inn?
Can I finance Best Western or Quality Inn with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Best Western or Quality Inn?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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 LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman