Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices vs Century 21: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
BH

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Real Estate
$25K – $150K
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VS
C2

Century 21

Real Estate
$25K – $525K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices wins on investment range ($375K less) vs Century 21.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Century 21 wins on total units (12,500 more) vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Satisfaction
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Century 21.

Investment & Fees

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Min Investment $25K $25K
Max Investment $150K $525K
Franchise Fee $25K $25K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Avg Unit Revenue N/A N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Total Units 1,500 14,000
Annual Growth 80.0% 200.0%
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Franchisee Satisfaction 75/100 73/100

Track Record

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Years in Business N/A N/A
Years Franchising N/A N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Min Net Worth Required N/A N/A
Liquid Capital Required N/A N/A

Operations

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Century 21
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Century 21 a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has 1,500 total units and a 75/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Century 21 has 14,000 total units and a 73/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices franchise requires an initial investment of $25K – $150K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Century 21 franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Century 21 franchise requires an initial investment of $25K – $525K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices vs Century 21?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices's royalty rate is 6.0%. Century 21's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means Century 21 has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Century 21?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has 1,500 total units. Century 21 has 14,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Century 21 semi-absentee friendly?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is typically run as a owner-operator model. Century 21 is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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