Century 21 is 5.1× cheaper to get into — ₹35,770 vs ₹1.8 L (about ₹1 lakh less). Century 21 runs the bigger network at 1685 vs 735 outlets.
Numbers that separate them on a 5-year horizon — not the dealer-pitch summary.
Space requirements differ substantially: Keller Williams operates from 2000+ sqft while Century 21 needs 3500+ sqft. In metro CBDs where commercial rent is ₹300–600/sqft/month, that difference alone can swing your break-even by 18–24 months.
Century 21 has 2.3× more outlets than Keller Williams (1685 vs 735) — more brand recognition and supplier scale, but also denser intra-brand competition in saturated markets.
Century 21 charges 6% royalty on revenue — recurring, uncapped, and deducted before your own margin is calculated. Factor it into every pro-forma.
Primary (flagship) format per brand. Smaller kiosk / express formats may have different economics.
Primary (flagship) franchise format per brand. Some brands also offer smaller kiosk / cloud-kitchen formats at lower capex — check the brand page for full format options.
Bigger networks mean more brand recognition and supplier scale; smaller ones mean less intra-brand competition in your territory.
Every verified data point. Green badge marks the more favourable value for a typical first-time operator.
| Metric | Century 21 | Keller Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Entry capex | ₹35,770 ↓ Lower | ₹1.8 L |
| Royalty | 6% | 6% |
| Min space (sqft) | 3500 | 2000 ↓ Smaller |
| Total outlets | 1685 ↑ Bigger | 735 |
| Franchise fee | ₹25,000 ↓ Lower | ₹35,000 |
| Working capital | — | — |
BrandFit asks 6 visual questions about your operator profile, capital, and location — then ranks all 240 brands by predicted success-fit for your situation. See where these brands really stand for someone like you.
Open this pair plus EXIT Realty (the next-largest Real Estate Brokerage brands by network size) side-by-side in the full comparison tool. Add or swap brands to fit your decision.
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Most Indian Real Estate Brokerage franchises pay the operator via product-margin on supply (cost-to-MRP spread) rather than explicit revenue share. Brands with 0% royalty usually recoup their cut inside supply pricing. Brands with stated royalty (commonly 3–10%) take it on top of product margin. Calculate effective take-home on both structures before you sign.
The lowest-investment option here is Century 21 starting from ₹35,770. Remember this is the brand's minimum capex — your actual outlay includes a refundable security deposit, rent deposit (1–6 months), and working capital.
Brand expansion strategies differ: Century 21 and brands with 200+ outlets typically have active Tier-2/3 pipelines; smaller or premium brands often focus Tier-1 metros first. FRANticc's store locator on each brand page shows existing cities — if a brand already has 3+ outlets in your tier, expansion policy likely permits new franchises there.
Multi-unit ownership is common in Indian franchising and several Real Estate Brokerage brands actively encourage it through discounted second/third-unit fees. Check for "master franchise" or "multi-unit development" terms in the contract — these usually require a minimum 3–5 unit commitment within a defined city/region over 24–36 months.
Beyond the advertised capex, factor in: refundable security deposit (₹1–5L), rent deposit (1–6 months of rent), working capital for inventory and salaries (typically ₹5–20L for first 3 months), signage and interior fit-out (often 25–40% of total setup), and ongoing royalty or supply-chain margins. FRANticc separates "at-risk capital" from "refundable capital" on every brand page so you see the real exposure.