FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Sotheby's International Realty® using its latest 2026 FDD coverage.
Based on 2026 FDD · 11 filings in corpus · Latest FDD: 2026
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Sotheby's International Realty® franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $46K – $512K. The franchisor does not provide enough Item 19 data for a clean profit estimate. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $25K franchise fee · 8% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
Sotheby's International Realty® requires a total initial investment of $46K to $512K (midpoint approximately $279K), with an initial franchise fee of $25K. The ongoing fee burden is 8% (6% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 28.4%, leaving more margin for the operator.
Sotheby's International Realty® does not publicly disclose Item 19 financial performance data in their FDD. This is a significant transparency gap — franchisees must rely on validation calls and personal research rather than audited financial representations. Prospective buyers should demand current unit-level financials from existing operators during due diligence.
Sotheby's International Realty® operates approximately 674 franchised units. Unit count is relatively stable with a -1.2% year-over-year change.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2026 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Common questions buyers ask about Sotheby's International Realty®, answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a Sotheby's International Realty® franchise ranges from $46K to $512K, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
Sotheby's International Realty® charges a 6% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for Sotheby's International Realty® is $25,000.
There are approximately 674 Sotheby's International Realty® franchise locations as of 2023.
Profit data for Sotheby's International Realty® is disclosed in FDD Item 19 (Financial Performance Representation). Check their most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for current figures.
SBA loan default rate data for Sotheby's International Realty® is not currently available in the SBA database.
Whether a Sotheby's International Realty® franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
FDD Item 7 breaks down every cost to open a franchise. Read all 23 line items, stress-test the ra...
SBA 7(a) franchise loan approval rates by brand, default rates by sector, and what lenders want i...
Compare franchise financing options: SBA 7(a), SBA 504, ROBS 401(k) rollovers, bank loans, franch...
SBA 7(a) franchise loans explained, including the October 2026 SOP 50 10 8.1 update, eligibility,...
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans for franchise buyers: rates, down payments, timelines, approval requiremen...
5 data-driven questions every Sotheby's International Realty® franchise buyer should ask.