Century 21 vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: 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
C2

Century 21

Real Estate
$25K – $525K
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VS
BH

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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

Unit Economics

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

Scale & Growth

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

Franchisee Performance

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

Track Record

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

Financial Requirements

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

Operations

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Century 21 is typically run as a owner-operator model. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 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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