Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data
Total Investment
$182,430 – $335,697
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Royalty Rate
6.0%
The total initial investment to open a Keller Williams Realty franchise ranges from $182,430 to $335,697, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $35,000.
Midpoint estimate: $259,064
$35,000
One-time initial fee
The Keller Williams Realty franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the Keller Williams Realty brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.
Royalty Fee
6.0%
of gross revenue
Ad/Marketing Fund
0.5%
of gross revenue
Total Ongoing Fee Burden: 6.5% of gross revenue
Combined royalty and advertising fund contributions before any other fees.
| Fee Type | Rate | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Royalty | 6.0 | PCT | Due on 7th business day of month for preceding month. Annual cap currently $3,000 per Associate, may increase to $4,000. Cap may be modified or eliminated at franchisor's discretion. |
| Profit Sharing Contribution | N/A | VARIABLE | Due on 7th business day of month. Amount varies based on calculations in Attachment F. Used to compensate franchisees and Associates for recruiting. |
| Marketing Development Fee | 83.33 | FIXED | Can be increased to $150/month or $1,000/year up to $1,500 total. Subject to CPI adjustment. For public relations, marketing and advertising materials. |
| Training Fees | N/A | VARIABLE | Total approximately $10,200. Required courses must be completed within 6-18 months after effective date. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Regional Advertising Cooperative Fee | 0.5 | PCT | Up to 0.5% of monthly GCI. Due on 7th business day. Subject to regional Associate Leadership Council discretion. No cooperatives currently exist. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| International Advertising Fund Fee | 0.5 | PCT | Up to 0.5% of monthly GCI. Due on 7th business day. Subject to International Associate Leadership Council discretion. May be initiated in future. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Franchise Systems Orientation Fee | 399.0 | FIXED | Required for Operating Principal, Team Leader, Market Center Administrator, Franchisee's Principals and designated Franchisee's Group members. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| New and Annual Associate Fees | 25.0 | FIXED | Can increase to $40 per Associate. $25 initial payment to franchisor; annual renewal $20 to franchisor, $5 to Market Center. Due on association and annually in February. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Late Transmittal/Closing Fee | 500.0 | FIXED | Accrues each day that monthly reporting is late. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Associate Technology Fee | 65.0 | FIXED | Can increase to $150/month. May be charged as two separate fees not exceeding maximum. Due on 7th business day. Supports technology and agent sales platform. May be discounted for staff and Referral Associates. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| G-Suite Fee | 5.0 | FIXED | Can increase to $10/month. Due on 7th business day. Supports email and Google workspace accounts. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Transfer Fee | 2000.0 | FIXED | Non-refundable plus franchisor's related expenses. Covers costs for reviewing and preparing transfer documentation. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Successor License Fee | N/A | VARIABLE | Due before expiration. Must give notice 7-12 months prior to expiration. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Offering Fee | 10000.0 | FIXED | Covers costs of reviewing proposed securities offering. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Holdover Fee | 2.0 | PCT | Additional 2% on top of standard 6% Production Royalty. Payable if operating after term expiration without signing new agreement. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Liquidated Damages for Premature Closure during Holdover Period | N/A | VARIABLE | Payable if Market Center closed during Holdover Period without required written notice. |
| Interest | 18.0 | PCT | 18% or maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is less. California maximum is 10% per annum. Does not apply to profit sharing contribution. |
| Late Payment Fees | 500.0 | FIXED | Accrues each day any payment is late. Not applicable in California (10% per annum maximum). |
| Accounting Fees | N/A | VARIABLE | Due on demand if report variance exceeds 2%. Includes auditor's travel, lodging and other expenses. |
| Relocation Services Fee | N/A | VARIABLE | Currently not required. May be imposed only if franchisees established in 75% of metropolitan area. |
| Business Center Fee | 2500.0 | FIXED | Due when applying to open a Business Center. Covers review and documentation costs. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Mega Associate Office Fee | 2500.0 | FIXED | Due when applying to open a Mega Associate Office. Covers review and documentation costs. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Non-REALTOR® Permitted Business Fee | N/A | FIXED | Currently $0 but can increase to $2,500. Due when applying to open Non-REALTOR® Permitted Business. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Referral Associate Permitted Business Fee | N/A | FIXED | Currently $0 but can increase to $2,500. Due when applying to open Referral Associate Permitted Business. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| MC Operating Software License and Upgrade Fees | N/A | VARIABLE | Up to $1,500 license fee at beginning of term; upgrades $100-$1,500. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Connect Fee | 500.0 | FIXED | Can increase to $1,000/month. Due on 7th business day. Available to all active Associates. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Accounting Software Upgrade and Maintenance Fee | 325.0 | FIXED | Can increase to $1,000/year. Due annually in July. Initial software cost included in initial franchise fee. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| KPA Fee | 500.0 | FIXED | Covers subscription service for behavioral assessments for Associates and potential Operating Principals, Team Leaders and MCAs. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Research and Development Fees | N/A | FIXED | Currently no fee. Must conduct buyer/seller prospecting research and report results. |
| Deficiency Correction Fees | N/A | VARIABLE | Due on demand. Franchisor may charge for costs to correct operational deficiencies. |
| Indemnification | N/A | VARIABLE | Due on demand. Covers losses from various claims, violations, and lawsuits as detailed in FDD. |
| Attorney Fees and Related Costs | N/A | VARIABLE | Due on demand. Imposed when franchisor must enforce obligations including confidentiality, default and termination. |
| Technology Fee | 79.0 | FIXED | Can increase to $300/month. Due on 7th business day. Required to remain connected to electronic systems. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Conventions Assessment | N/A | VARIABLE | Up to $1,000/year for annual conventions (Family Reunion, Mega Leadership Camp, Mega Camp). Separate costs for personnel attendance (registration, travel, lodging, meals, wages). |
| KW Prep + Continuing Education CE Fee | 199.0 | FIXED | Optional program. Can increase to $1,000/month. Due on 10th day of month. For states without Keller Successful Career Opportunities. Franchisee receives 20% of revenue from CE courses. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| KSCORE | 599.0 | FIXED | Optional program. Can increase to $2,000/month. Due on 10th day of month. Third-party educational partnership for licensing and CE. Franchisee receives 20% of revenue from CE courses. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Force Majeure | N/A | VARIABLE | Due during period Market Center not fully operational. May be minimum fee or waived depending on circumstances of Force Majeure event. |
| New Developments in Technology and New Offerings Fee | N/A | FIXED | Currently $0 but can increase to $1,000/year. Due on demand. Franchisor reserves right to add fees for new technology and offerings. Subject to CPI adjustment. |
| Liquidated Damages for Failure to Comply with Post-Termination Obligations | 500.0 | FIXED | Due on demand. Payable for failure to perform post-termination obligations and holdover operations. |
| Lost Profits | N/A | VARIABLE | Due 30 days from demand. Payable for premature termination other than by mutual consent. |
Category
Real Estate
System Size
773 units
Franchise Score
out of 100
Keller Williams Realty is a residential real estate franchise that provides agents with training, technology, and support systems to help them sell properties and build their businesses. The company operates on a agent-centric model that emphasizes education and profit-sharing with its franchisees.
Avg. Annual Closure Rate
0.9%
Low risk — below industry average
Net Unit Growth
-32 units
From 2022 to 2024
| Year | Start | Opened | Closed | Transfers | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 794 | +13 | — | — | 784 |
| 2023 | 784 | +9 | -8 | — | 766 |
| 2024 | 766 | +9 | -4 | — | 762 |
Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the Keller Williams Realty franchise opportunity:
Overall Score
64/100
Moderate opportunity
Est. Payback Period
N/A
Insufficient data
Risk Level
Low
0.9% annual closure rate
Keller Williams Realty shows a moderate score across our evaluation criteria. Careful due diligence is recommended. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.
Get the full Keller Williams Realty franchise intelligence report with risk analysis, deal-breaker alerts, and detailed financial projections.
View Full Keller Williams Realty Report →Investment: $150,000 – $477,250
Royalty: 3.0%
Median Revenue: $617,609
Units: 1,003
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Royalty: 1.0%
Units: 475
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Investment: $32,420 – $260,200
Royalty: 5.0%
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Investment: $40,650 – $310,000
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