Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices vs Coldwell Banker: 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
CB

Coldwell Banker

Real Estate
$16K – $1.5M
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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 ($1.4M less) vs Coldwell Banker.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Coldwell Banker wins on total units (1,700 more) vs Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Satisfaction
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Coldwell Banker.

Investment & Fees

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Min Investment $25K $16K
Max Investment $150K $1.5M
Franchise Fee $25K $35K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Avg Unit Revenue N/A N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Total Units 1,500 3,200
Annual Growth 80.0% 50.0%
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Franchisee Satisfaction 75/100 72/100

Track Record

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Years in Business N/A N/A
Years Franchising N/A N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Min Net Worth Required N/A N/A
Liquid Capital Required N/A N/A

Operations

Metric Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coldwell Banker
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Coldwell Banker 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. Coldwell Banker has 3,200 total units and a 72/100 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 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.

What is the royalty rate for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices vs Coldwell Banker?

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

Which has more locations — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Coldwell Banker?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has 1,500 total units. Coldwell Banker has 3,200 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Coldwell Banker semi-absentee friendly?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is typically run as a owner-operator model. Coldwell Banker 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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