Coldwell Banker vs Realty ONE Group: 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
CB

Coldwell Banker

Real Estate
$16K – $1.5M
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VS
RO

Realty ONE Group

Real Estate
$22K – $243K
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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
Realty ONE Group wins on investment range ($1.3M less) vs Coldwell Banker.
Fee Burden
Realty ONE Group wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Coldwell Banker.
Unit Count
Realty ONE Group wins on total units (16,800 more) vs Coldwell Banker.
Satisfaction
Realty ONE Group wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Coldwell Banker.

Investment & Fees

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Min Investment $16K $22K
Max Investment $1.5M $243K
Franchise Fee $35K $13K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 5.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Avg Unit Revenue N/A N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Total Units 3,200 20,000
Annual Growth 50.0% N/A
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Franchisee Satisfaction 72/100 78/100

Track Record

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Years in Business N/A N/A
Years Franchising N/A N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Min Net Worth Required N/A N/A
Liquid Capital Required N/A N/A

Operations

Metric Coldwell Banker Realty ONE Group
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coldwell Banker or Realty ONE Group a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Coldwell Banker has 3,200 total units and a 72/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Realty ONE Group has 20,000 total units and a 78/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Coldwell Banker franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Coldwell Banker franchise requires an initial investment of $16K – $1.5M. The franchise fee is $35K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Realty ONE Group franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Realty ONE Group franchise requires an initial investment of $22K – $243K. The franchise fee is $13K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Coldwell Banker vs Realty ONE Group?

Coldwell Banker's royalty rate is 6.0%. Realty ONE Group's royalty rate is 5.0%. That means Realty ONE Group has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Coldwell Banker or Realty ONE Group?

Coldwell Banker has 3,200 total units. Realty ONE Group has 20,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Coldwell Banker or Realty ONE Group semi-absentee friendly?

Coldwell Banker is typically run as a owner-operator model. Realty ONE Group 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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