Century 21 vs Coldwell Banker
Century 21 vs Coldwell Banker: Century 21 costs $25K–$451K to open; Coldwell Banker costs $36K–$734K. Century 21 has 185 units, Coldwell Banker has 136. SBA loan history: Century 21 = 203 loans (8.9% default); Coldwell Banker = 45 loans (17.8% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Century 21 vs Coldwell Banker: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
Century 21 requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($25K vs $36K for Coldwell Banker), a 30% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Century 21 versus $20K for Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Century 21 and 6% for Coldwell Banker, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Century 21 operates 185 units to Coldwell Banker's 136. Coldwell Banker has been operating 120 years (founded 1906) versus 55 for Century 21 (founded 1971), a 65-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Century 21 has the deeper SBA lending track record with 203 historical 7(a) approvals versus 45 for Coldwell Banker.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 8.9% for Century 21 and 17.8% for Coldwell Banker, Century 21 has the cleaner historical loss profile by 8.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Century 21 and 29 (Fair) for Coldwell Banker, giving Century 21 the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 29/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 203 | 45 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 8.9% | 17.8% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $25K – $451K | $36K – $734K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $20K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $175K |
Net Worth Required | $150K | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 185 | 136 |
Franchised Units | 185 | 135 |
Company-Owned | – | 1 |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1971 | 1906 |
Franchising Since | 1972 | 1998 |
Years Franchising | 54 yrs | 28 yrs |
Headquarters | N/A | N/A |
Category | Offices of Real Estate Agents | Offices of Real Estate Agents |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Century 21 or Coldwell Banker?
Lower upfront capital required
Century 21
Century 21: $25K starting · Coldwell Banker: $36K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Century 21
Century 21: 203 SBA loans · Coldwell Banker: 45 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Century 21
Century 21: 8.9% · Coldwell Banker: 17.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Century 21
Century 21: 185 units · Coldwell Banker: 136 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Century 21: 6% · Coldwell Banker: 6%
More lender financing options
Century 21
Century 21: 115 unique lenders · Coldwell Banker: 37 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
Century 21 vs Coldwell Banker: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Century 21 and Coldwell Banker is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $25K to $734K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Century 21 with 203 SBA loans and Coldwell Banker with 45. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.
Century 21 vs Coldwell Banker, Frequently Asked Questions
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