Comfort Suites by Choice Hotel

Comfort Suites By Choice Hotel is a midscale, all suites franchise within the global hospitality market, valued at $2,080.57 billion in 2025. Choice Hotels International traces its history to 1939, when seven motel owners in the southern United States founded Quality Courts United. Stewart W. Bainum Sr. opened his first hotel in 1957 and merged Park Consolidated Motels, Inc. with Quality Courts Motels in 1968. Quality Inns International introduced the Comfort brand in 1981, later becoming Choice Hotels International, and launched Comfort Suites in 1986 alongside its acquisition of rights to the Clarion Hotels name. Headquartered in North Bethesda, Maryland, Choice Hotels International is led by President and CEO Patrick Pacious. The company reported more than 7,000 hotels and nearly 570,000 rooms in over 40 countries and territories, with July 2025 data showing more than 7,500 hotels, nearly 650,000 rooms, and operations in 46 countries. Comfort Suites had 111 locations as of March 5, 2026, including 107 franchised units. The wider Comfort brand, including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, and Comfort Inn & Suites, had 2,159 locations as of December 31, 2024, and more than 2,300 units open or in development worldwide as of May 2023. Buyers should assess the model through independent research rather than promotional claims.

The global hotel market is valued at $2,080.57 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $3,330.6 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. Demand is supported by the return of leisure and business travel after the pandemic, expanding tourism, and guest interest in accommodations that provide value and amenities. Comfort Suites serves this demand with larger rooms that separate living and sleeping areas, appealing to families, extended stay business travelers, and guests seeking more space. The sector offers recurring lodging revenue and potential real estate appreciation, although it remains fragmented among independent operators. Branded hotels are becoming more concentrated among companies such as Choice Hotels International, which uses its brand portfolio and operating systems across the network. Rising disposable incomes, expanding global middle classes, and infrastructure investment for travel and tourism may support continued demand. Lodging demand can also persist through short term economic changes.

The initial affiliation fee for a new Comfort Suites By Choice Hotel franchise is $50,000 or $500 per room, subject to a $50,000 minimum. It is due in full when the franchise agreement is signed and becomes nonrefundable once Choice Hotels executes the document. Transfers or renewals require a minimum franchise fee of $60,000. For a newly built 86 room hotel, estimated investment ranges from $5,027,342 to $9,145,231, including the initial franchise fee but generally excluding real estate acquisition and related taxes. Converting an existing 86 room property is estimated at $312,250 to $2,241,099, also including the franchise fee and excluding real estate costs. Separate franchise data lists an Initial Investment Low of $1.48M and an Initial Investment High of $5.00M. Applicants are expected to show at least $1 million in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $1 million. Larger projects may require net worth of $10 million or more. Technology and reservation fees also vary by brand and room count.

Franchisees oversee daily operations, guest service, room management, sales, and marketing, with a certified general manager required on site. An 86 room all suites property would generally need front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, and potentially food and beverage staff, depending on its amenities. Comfort Suites operates exclusively as an all suites hotel brand. Choice Hotels provides initial and continuing education through the Choice Onboard Orientation program, the Certified General Manager HOST program, and an online learning management system. Additional training may be required for particular property needs or market conditions. Support includes the cloud based ChoiceEdge reservation system and the Choice Privileges Rewards program, which has 36 million members. A New Hotel Opening specialist assists with sales and marketing methods, initial promotions, and reaching fair market share. Hotel management experience is not required, though business, real estate, or multi unit experience can help. Franchises are awarded for specific sites and do not include an exclusive territory.

Buyers should request any available data from the franchisor and speak with current franchisees. These parent company and system figures do not represent unit level Comfort Suites results.

Comfort Suites had 111 locations as of March 5, 2026, while the broader Comfort brand had 2,159 locations as of December 31, 2024, and more than 2,300 units open or in development worldwide as of May 2023. In 2025, Choice Hotels expanded its international portfolio to nearly 160,000 rooms outside the United States, a 13% increase, and anticipated high single digit international room growth during the year. Fifteen Comfort hotels opened in France during the first half of 2025. In October 2025, Choice Hotels signed a 50 unit Quality Suites agreement in France, nearly doubling its presence there from 57 to 107 franchised hotels. The company entered Poland through an Ascend Collection property under a master development agreement and launched MainStay Suites in Australia. It also plans to grow the Comfort and Quality brands to 100 properties in China. The brand benefits from Choice Hotels' history as the first hotel chain in the United States, the ChoiceEdge system, 36 million Choice Privileges members, supply chain scale, and real estate expertise. Digital initiatives continue to address guest experience and operating efficiency.

A suitable franchisee needs the financial capacity to lead a hospitality team and maintain brand standards. Choice Hotels favors candidates with experience in business, real estate development, or multi unit operations, although hotel management experience is not required. Financial expectations include at least $1 million in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $1 million, with larger projects potentially requiring $10 million or more. The broader Choice Hotels system supports multi unit development, though specific Comfort Suites expectations are not stated. International growth in France, Poland, Australia, and China points to opportunities across varied markets. High traffic areas, business hubs, and tourist destinations generally offer potential, although specific top performing markets are not identified. Opening time depends on the project, with new construction generally taking longer than conversion. The franchise agreement term is not specified, while renewal requires a minimum fee of $60,000. Transfers and resales are expected to follow established procedures intended to preserve brand standards and operating continuity.

Comfort Suites By Choice Hotel requires significant capital and careful due diligence. The brand operates in the midscale all suites segment and is supported by Choice Hotels International, whose history began in 1939 and whose network exceeded 7,500 hotels across 46 countries in 2025. Estimated investment ranges from $312,250 for a conversion to $9,145,231 for new construction, with liquid capital of $1 million and minimum net worth of $1 million. Unit level Comfort Suites financial results are not disclosed in the FDD, although the broader Comfort brand reports approximately $7 billion in annual reservation volume. ChoiceEdge, the 36 million member Choice Privileges program, and new hotel opening support are relevant system resources. PeerSense provides independent franchise research, including SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders; it is not a lender.