Econo Lodge vs La Quinta by Wyndham
Econo Lodge vs La Quinta by Wyndham: Econo Lodge costs $470K to $2.8M to open; La Quinta by Wyndham costs $3.9M to $6.2M. Econo Lodge has 606 units, La Quinta by Wyndham has 422. SBA loan history: Econo Lodge = 794 loans (7.1% default); La Quinta by Wyndham = 539 loans (5.0% 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.
Econo Lodge vs La Quinta by Wyndham: 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
Econo Lodge requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($470K vs $3.9M for La Quinta by Wyndham), a 88% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Econo Lodge versus $55K for La Quinta by Wyndham, Econo Lodge has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Econo Lodge and 6% for La Quinta by Wyndham, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Econo Lodge operates 606 units to La Quinta by Wyndham's 422. La Quinta by Wyndham has been operating 58 years (founded 1968) versus 57 for Econo Lodge (founded 1969), a 1-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Econo Lodge has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 794 7(a) approvals compared with 539 for La Quinta by Wyndham. Econo Lodge's peak SBA year was 2021 (44 loans); La Quinta by Wyndham's peak was 2021 (62 loans). La Quinta by Wyndham's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Econo Lodge has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 54. La Quinta by Wyndham leads in TX, with 168. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Econo Lodge deals is $1.2M vs $2.9M for La Quinta by Wyndham, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.1% for Econo Lodge and 5.0% for La Quinta by Wyndham, La Quinta by Wyndham has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 68 (Strong) for Econo Lodge and 58 (Moderate) for La Quinta by Wyndham, giving Econo Lodge the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 68/100 | 58/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 794 | 539 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.1% | 5.0% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $470K to $2.8M | $3.9M to $6.2M |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $55K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 7.9% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $2.0M | 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 | 606 | 422 |
Franchised Units | 606 | 422 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1969 | 1968 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Rockville, MD | N/A |
Category | Hotels | Hotels |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2023 |
Which Is Better, Econo Lodge or La Quinta by Wyndham?
Lower upfront capital required
Econo Lodge
Econo Lodge: $470K starting · La Quinta by Wyndham: $3.9M starting
More SBA lender confidence
Econo Lodge
Econo Lodge: 794 SBA loans · La Quinta by Wyndham: 539 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
La Quinta by Wyndham
Econo Lodge: 7.1% · La Quinta by Wyndham: 5.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Econo Lodge
Econo Lodge: 606 units · La Quinta by Wyndham: 422 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Econo Lodge: 6% · La Quinta by Wyndham: 6%
More lender financing options
Econo Lodge
Econo Lodge: 246 unique lenders · La Quinta by Wyndham: 185 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
Econo Lodge vs La Quinta by Wyndham: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Econo Lodge and La Quinta by Wyndham is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $470K to $6.2M.
Econo Lodge has 794 SBA loans on record and La Quinta by Wyndham has 539. 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.
Econo Lodge vs La Quinta by Wyndham, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Econo Lodge or La Quinta by Wyndham?
How much does a Econo Lodge franchise cost compared to La Quinta by Wyndham?
Can I finance Econo Lodge or La Quinta by Wyndham with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Econo Lodge or La Quinta by Wyndham?
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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 LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman