Days Inn

For discerning franchise investors navigating the complex landscape of hospitality opportunities, the central challenge often lies in identifying a brand that combines a half-century legacy of operational excellence with robust corporate backing and a clear value proposition in a highly competitive market. Days Inn, a cornerstone of the economy lodging segment, offers precisely such a compelling franchise opportunity, tracing its origins back to 1970 when founder Cecil B. Day opened the inaugural location on Tybee Island, Georgia, with a visionary concept: to deliver "budget luxury" through safe, clean, and affordable accommodations specifically tailored for traveling families, strategically positioned along interstate locations in secondary and tertiary markets. This foundational ethos quickly resonated with consumers and entrepreneurs alike, leading to the formal establishment of Days Inn of America, Inc. and the commencement of its franchising program in 1972, a pivotal step that ignited a period of rapid expansion where the company famously doubled its size every year for its first five years. Today, the Days Inn franchise continues its journey under the formidable umbrella of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality giant headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, which notably guarantees the performance of its obligations under franchise agreements, providing a significant layer of security for Days Inn franchise partners. As of the latest available franchise data, the Days Inn franchise network comprises 322 total units, all of which are franchised, underscoring a pure-play franchising model. While the specific franchise data indicates 322 units, the broader Days Inn brand maintains a substantial global presence, having included 1,501 locations worldwide with 114,216 rooms as of December 31, 2023, and exceeding 1,500 properties globally as of June 2024, demonstrating its enduring relevance and extensive reach within the vast and perpetually in-demand hotel and motel category. This robust market position, coupled with the brand's deep history and the strategic support of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, positions the Days Inn franchise as a significant consideration for investors seeking to enter or expand within the resilient and expansive hospitality sector.

The total addressable market for hotels and motels, excluding casino hotels, represents a multi-billion dollar sector driven by persistent demand for travel, leisure, and business accommodations across diverse demographics. This industry is influenced by several key consumer trends that continue to fuel its growth, including a sustained preference for road trips, particularly among families and budget-conscious travelers, which directly aligns with the Days Inn brand's original strategy of targeting interstate locations. Furthermore, the post-pandemic resurgence in both leisure and business travel, coupled with a general increase in mobility, contributes to a robust demand environment for affordable and reliable lodging options. Secular tailwinds benefiting the Days Inn franchise specifically include the increasing demand for value-oriented accommodations as consumers become more price-sensitive, alongside the consistent need for overnight stays in secondary and tertiary markets where the brand has historically excelled. The inherent stability of the hospitality sector, often viewed as a hedge against economic volatility due to its essential service nature, makes it an attractive category for franchise investment, offering the potential for consistent cash flow generation and often involving valuable real estate assets. The competitive dynamics within the economy lodging segment are characterized by a blend of local fragmentation and global consolidation, with major players like Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (the parent company of Days Inn) commanding significant brand portfolios. Macro forces such as ongoing urbanization, infrastructure development, and the expansion of domestic tourism markets create continuous opportunities for hotel brands to grow their footprint, particularly those, like Days Inn, that are adept at serving diverse geographic and demographic needs with a proven, accessible product.

Investing in a Days Inn franchise represents a substantial financial commitment, reflecting the scale and operational complexity inherent in the hospitality sector. The initial franchise fee for a Days Inn franchise is $35,000, which is a competitive entry point for a brand of this stature, although other sources indicate that upfront franchise fees could range from $44,200 to $65,875 as of 2021, suggesting variations based on specific agreement types or historical offerings. The total initial investment required for a Days Inn franchise exhibits a wide range, from a low of $4,669,200 to a high of $7,657,625, as per the provided franchise data. This considerable spread is typical for hotel franchises, driven by critical factors such as whether the project involves a new ground-up construction or the conversion of an existing property, the specific geographic location, the size and amenities of the hotel, and local construction and real estate costs. For instance, other FDDs have shown investment ranges from $5,503,756 to $6,395,289 in 2021 and $6,217,408 to $7,179,979 in 2023, further emphasizing the significant capital outlay involved. Beyond the initial investment, Days Inn franchisees are responsible for ongoing fees, including a royalty rate of 5.5% of gross revenues, which contributes to the brand's continued innovation and support infrastructure. Additionally, an advertising fee of 3.8% is levied, funding national and regional marketing initiatives that enhance brand visibility and drive customer traffic to Days Inn properties. When analyzing the total cost of ownership, these ongoing fees, combined with the substantial initial investment, position Days Inn as a premium franchise investment within the economy lodging segment, requiring significant financial capacity. The formidable backing of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which guarantees the performance of its obligations under franchise agreements, adds a layer of corporate stability and financial credibility to this Days Inn franchise investment.

The operating model for a Days Inn franchisee is centered on delivering consistent, quality guest experiences within the economy lodging segment, demanding a comprehensive approach to daily hotel management. Franchisees are responsible for overseeing all aspects of hotel operations, including front desk services, guest check-in and check-out, housekeeping, property maintenance, and local marketing efforts to attract and retain guests. The staffing requirements typically involve a team comprising front desk associates, housekeeping staff, maintenance personnel, and potentially management roles depending on the size of the property, necessitating effective human resource management and training to ensure high service standards. Days Inn primarily offers a standard hotel format, with franchise opportunities often involving either new construction projects or the conversion of existing hotel properties, providing flexibility in development strategies to suit different market conditions and investor preferences. While specific details on training duration are not provided, new Days Inn franchise owners can expect a comprehensive training program from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, covering operational protocols, brand standards, property management systems, and guest service best practices, typically involving a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Ongoing corporate support is a significant advantage of being a Days Inn franchisee, leveraging the vast resources of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which includes access to advanced technology platforms for reservations and property management, robust national marketing programs, and a sophisticated supply chain for procurement. Franchisees also benefit from field consultants who provide guidance on operational efficiency and performance, ensuring adherence to brand consistency. While specific territory structures are not detailed, franchisees typically receive a protected territory, allowing them to develop their Days Inn property without direct competition from other brand locations within a defined area. Given the scale of hotel operations, multi-unit ownership is often encouraged or expected for experienced operators looking to maximize their investment within the Days Inn brand. The model generally requires a hands-on or highly engaged owner-operator, or a strong management team, to ensure optimal performance and guest satisfaction.

Item 19 financial performance data is not disclosed in the current Franchise Disclosure Document for the Days Inn franchise, meaning specific average revenues, median revenues, or profit margins for individual franchised units are not publicly available through the FDD. In the absence of this unit-level financial performance data, prospective Days Inn franchise investors must rely on broader industry benchmarks, the brand's established market position, and its historical growth trajectory as indicators of potential unit performance. The Days Inn brand, as part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, operates within a global hospitality enterprise whose overall financial health can be observed through public filings, though these do not disaggregate performance down to individual Days Inn properties. The brand's FPI Score, a proprietary PeerSense metric, stands at 69, which is categorized as "Strong," suggesting a favorable outlook based on various operational and market factors. The growth trajectory of the Days Inn brand, as evidenced by its historical expansion, provides further insight into its vitality; for example, within eight years of beginning franchising in 1972, the system grew to over 300 hotels across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. While the specific franchise data provided indicates 322 total franchised units, it is important to contextualize this within the brand's much larger global footprint, which included 1,501 locations worldwide as of December 31, 2023, and over 1,500 properties globally as of June 2024. These figures, alongside historical counts such as 1,728 locations worldwide as of December 31, 2018, and more than 1,400 properties in the United States and just under 1,700 globally as of June 2020, illustrate the brand's extensive reach and long-term presence. The consistent unit count, even with fluctuations over time and across different reporting methodologies (e.g., 1,257 US Franchises per the 2023 FDD versus broader global counts), signals a well-established and resilient brand that has maintained a significant presence in the economy lodging segment for decades, suggesting a stable operational environment for Days Inn franchise owners.

The Days Inn brand has demonstrated a significant growth trajectory since its inception, evolving from its initial concept to a global presence under the stewardship of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. While the specific franchise data indicates 322 total units, this represents the current franchised unit count offered through the provided FDD, while the Days Inn *brand* itself boasts a much larger and historically extensive network. For instance, the brand had expanded to over 300 hotels within eight years of its 1972 franchising start, and in more recent years, it included 1,501 locations worldwide with 114,216 rooms as of December 31, 2023, and over 1,500 properties globally as of June 2024. This consistent growth is further highlighted by figures such as 1,728 locations worldwide with 137,678 rooms as of December 31, 2018, and over 1,700 properties with more than 160,000 rooms as of February 1997, illustrating a sustained global expansion over decades. Recent corporate developments underscore the brand's strategic focus on key international markets; notably, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts reacquired direct franchising rights for the Days Inn brand in China in January 2019, leading to impressive growth, with the brand averaging double-digit net room growth over the past five years in that market. This culminated in June 2025 with the celebration of the 100th Days Inn hotel opening in China, the Days Inn by Wyndham Shantou Jinping, signifying robust market penetration and a 25% year-over-year expansion in the China pipeline through Q1 2025. The brand's competitive moat is built upon several pillars: formidable brand recognition cultivated over five decades, the immense scale and global distribution network of its parent company, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and a proven operating model tailored to the economy lodging segment. Days Inn is continually adapting to current market conditions through digital transformation initiatives supported by Wyndham's advanced technology platforms, enabling efficient reservations and property management. Its strategic real estate approach, focusing on interstate and secondary/tertiary markets, continues to capture demand from value-conscious travelers, ensuring the Days Inn franchise remains a relevant and competitive player in the dynamic hospitality industry.

The ideal Days Inn franchise candidate typically possesses a strong background in business management, hospitality operations, or real estate development, reflecting the substantial investment and operational complexities involved in running a hotel property. While specific experience requirements are not explicitly detailed, successful franchisees often demonstrate a keen understanding of guest services, staff management, and local market dynamics, enabling them to effectively navigate the nuances of the economy lodging sector. Given the significant capital outlay and the nature of hotel development, multi-unit ownership or a clear path to developing multiple properties is often an expectation for experienced investors looking to maximize their engagement with the Days Inn brand. Geographically, Days Inn has a broad footprint, with a historical concentration in the South, accounting for 752 locations in the USA as per the 2016 FDD, and a substantial presence across the United States, where there were 1,257 US Franchises as per the 2023 FDD. Internationally, the brand has a strategic presence in over 60 major Chinese cities, along with operations in India and the United Kingdom, and historical expansion into Mexico, Israel, and the Philippines, indicating a global reach that offers diverse market opportunities. The brand's original strategy of targeting interstate locations in secondary and tertiary markets remains a strong focus, identifying areas with consistent traveler demand for affordable accommodations. The timeline from signing a franchise agreement to the opening of a Days Inn property can vary significantly, depending on whether it's a new build or a conversion project, and the complexities of local permitting and construction. While the franchise agreement term length is not available, these agreements typically range from 10 to 20 years with renewal options, providing long-term operational stability. Considerations for transfer and resale are standard within the franchise agreement, allowing for future exit strategies, while the brand's enduring market presence enhances the potential for such transactions.

For astute investors contemplating a significant foray into the resilient hospitality sector, the Days Inn franchise presents a compelling investment opportunity, backed by a storied history spanning over five decades and the robust corporate infrastructure of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This brand's consistent focus on delivering "budget luxury" in high-demand interstate and secondary markets has solidified its position within the economy lodging segment, offering a proven model for attracting diverse traveler segments. Despite the substantial initial investment ranging from $4,669,200 to $7,657,625 and an initial franchise fee of $35,000, the Days Inn franchise benefits from strong brand recognition, global distribution capabilities, and a comprehensive support system, all contributing to its FPI Score of 69, indicating a strong performance outlook. The brand's extensive global footprint, with 1,501 locations worldwide as of December 31, 2023, and its strategic growth in key international markets like China, underscores its adaptability and continued relevance in a dynamic industry. While Item 19 financial performance data is not disclosed in the current Franchise Disclosure Document, the overall health and expansion of the Days Inn brand within the Wyndham portfolio provide a strong qualitative assessment of its potential. This opportunity warrants serious due diligence, considering the brand's legacy, market positioning, and the inherent stability of the hotel and motel category. PeerSense provides exclusive due diligence data including SBA lending history, FPI score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and side-by-side comparison tools. Explore the complete Days Inn franchise profile on PeerSense to access the full suite of independent franchise intelligence data.