Hampton by Hilton vs Quality Inn
Hampton by Hilton vs Quality Inn: Hampton by Hilton costs $6.9M to $22.2M to open; Quality Inn costs $317K to $2.0M. Hampton by Hilton has 479 units, Quality Inn has 819. SBA loan history: Hampton by Hilton = 582 loans (3.8% 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.
Hampton by Hilton 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 $6.9M for Hampton by Hilton), a 2078% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $75K for Hampton by Hilton versus $40K for Quality Inn, Quality Inn has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Hampton by Hilton and 5% for Quality Inn, giving Quality Inn the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Quality Inn operates 819 units to Hampton by Hilton's 479. Quality Inn has been operating 87 years (founded 1939) versus 42 for Hampton by Hilton (founded 1984), a 45-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 582 for Hampton by Hilton. Hampton by Hilton's peak SBA year was 2012 (37 loans); Quality Inn's peak was 2015 (87 loans). Quality Inn'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 Hampton by Hilton deals is $1.8M vs $2.1M for Quality Inn, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.8% for Hampton by Hilton and 5.3% for Quality Inn, Hampton by Hilton has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 59 (Moderate) for Hampton by Hilton 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 | 59/100 | 69/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 582 | 1,191 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.8% | 5.3% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $6.9M to $22.2M | $317K to $2.0M |
Franchise Fee | $75K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 5% |
Ad Fund | 4% | 7.9% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 479 | 819 |
Franchised Units | 479 | 819 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 22 yrs | 20 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1984 | 1939 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | HOUSTON, TX | North Bethesda, MD |
Category | Hotels | Hotels |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2024 |
Which Is Better, Hampton by Hilton or Quality Inn?
Lower upfront capital required
Quality Inn
Hampton by Hilton: $6.9M starting · Quality Inn: $317K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Quality Inn
Hampton by Hilton: 582 SBA loans · Quality Inn: 1,191 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Hampton by Hilton
Hampton by Hilton: 3.8% · Quality Inn: 5.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Quality Inn
Hampton by Hilton: 479 units · Quality Inn: 819 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Quality Inn
Hampton by Hilton: 6% · Quality Inn: 5%
More lender financing options
Quality Inn
Hampton by Hilton: 215 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.
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About These Franchises
Hampton by Hilton vs Quality Inn: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Hampton by Hilton 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 $22.2M.
Hampton by Hilton has 582 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.
Hampton by Hilton vs Quality Inn, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Hampton by Hilton or Quality Inn?
How much does a Hampton by Hilton franchise cost compared to Quality Inn?
Can I finance Hampton by Hilton or Quality Inn with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Hampton by Hilton or Quality Inn?
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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
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