Century 21 is the lighter bet on entry — ₹35,770 vs ₹37,100. RE/MAX runs the bigger network at 2994 vs 1685 outlets. RE/MAX takes less off the top (1% royalty vs 6%).
Numbers that separate them on a 5-year horizon — not the dealer-pitch summary.
On pure entry capital, Century 21 is 1.0× cheaper than RE/MAX — ₹35,770 vs ₹37,100. That gap compounds over a 5-year horizon because working capital and rent deposit scale with format size.
Space requirements differ substantially: RE/MAX operates from 600+ 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.
RE/MAX has 1.8× more outlets than Century 21 (2994 vs 1685) — more brand recognition and supplier scale, but also denser intra-brand competition in saturated markets.
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 | RE/MAX | Century 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry capex | ₹37,100 | ₹35,770 ↓ Lower |
| Royalty | 1% ↓ Lower | 6% |
| Min space (sqft) | 600 ↓ Smaller | 3500 |
| Total outlets | 2994 ↑ Bigger | 1685 |
| Franchise fee | ₹8,750 ↓ Lower | ₹25,000 |
| 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 Keller Williams and 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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There's no universal winner. RE/MAX suits operators who value brand prestige and larger-format positioning. Century 21 suits operators who want to test the market with smaller initial exposure. Your location's traffic profile, your available capital, and your operating style together determine the right answer.
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.
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.
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.
Contract terms among these brands range from Century 21 (10-yr term · no renewal rights; franchisor may grant an additional term.). Shorter terms offer renewal leverage but can mean the brand exits a weak market; longer terms lock you in but often include renewal fees. Always clarify renewal terms in writing before signing the initial contract.