RE/MAX vs EXIT Realty franchise USA 2026: which one wins on real numbers?
RE/MAX is 1.6× cheaper to get into — $37K vs $61K (about $24K less). RE/MAX runs the bigger network at 2994 vs 518 outlets.
01 What actually matters
Numbers that separate them on a 5-year horizon — not the franchise-development pitch.
The operational model splits the room: RE/MAX expects medium involvement; EXIT Realty expects high involvement. If you're an absentee investor this matters as much as the capex — the wrong match burns you via under-managed operations.
One-time franchise fees are worth noting (FDD Item 5): RE/MAX charges $9K upfront on top of the setup capex. This is a non-refundable sunk cost before revenue begins — bake it into your at-risk capital calculation.
02 The numbers, visualised
Primary format per brand, from FDD Item 7. A brand's smaller express or non-traditional formats can cost materially less.
Initial investment (FDD Item 7)
Total initial investment, low end of each brand's FDD Item 7 range for its primary format. Several US brands also run smaller express, non-traditional or conversion formats at materially lower investment — check the brand page for the full Item 7 table.
Network scale — total outlets
Total US outlets from FDD Item 20. Bigger networks mean more brand recognition and supplier scale; smaller ones mean less intra-brand competition in your trade area.
Customer ratings
Which brand's outlets are rated higher by customers, aggregated across locations. Exact star rating and review volume are in Brand Health.
Direction only — the underlying rating & review count are Pro data.
03 Side-by-side
Straight from each brand’s FDD. Green badge marks the more favourable value for a typical first-time operator.
| Metric | RE/MAX | EXIT Realty |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment (Item 7) | $37K ↓ Lower | $61K |
| Royalty (Item 6) | 1% | — |
| Gross margin | — | — |
| Min space (sq ft) | 600 ↓ Smaller | 750 |
| Total US outlets (Item 20) | 2994 ↑ Bigger | 518 |
| Franchise fee (Item 5) | $9K | $8K ↓ Lower |
| Additional funds | — | — |
Not sure if RE/MAX or EXIT Realty actually fits *you*?
BrandFit asks 6 visual questions about your operator profile, capital, and location — then ranks all 182 brands by predicted success-fit for your situation. See where these brands really stand for someone like you.
Ready to talk to RE/MAX or EXIT Realty?
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04 Explore these brands in depth
Same data plus the full FDD breakdown, fee load, contract fairness and SBA lending picture — free on every brand page.
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05 Frequently asked
Wrapped in FAQPage JSON-LD for SERP rich-result eligibility.
What is the minimum space required for a Real Estate Brokerage franchise?
Among these brands, the smallest footprint is RE/MAX at 600+ sqft. Square footage is only half the site test — most US franchisors also specify traffic counts, co-tenancy, parking ratios and a trade-area population in the franchise agreement, and will reject a site that hits the minimum footprint but misses those.
How many Real Estate Brokerage franchise brands are available in the US?
FRANticc's database lists 2 brands matching this comparison with verified investment data, store counts, and format details. Several more are covered across our full directory. Every figure is traced to the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document.
How do Real Estate Brokerage franchises pay out — revenue share or fixed margin?
US Real Estate Brokerage franchisors almost always take a percentage of gross sales, not a share of profit — so the fee is due whether or not the unit is profitable. FDD Item 6 lists the full stack: royalty (commonly 4–8%), a national advertising fund (1–4%), technology fees, and often a local-marketing minimum. Add them together before modelling take-home; the headline royalty is rarely the whole load.
What is the typical contract term for these Real Estate Brokerage franchises?
Contract terms among these brands range from EXIT Realty (5-yr initial · renewable for subsequent 5- or 10-yr periods · 6-month notice required · renewal fee 10-15% of then-current initial fee). 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.
What is the best Real Estate Brokerage franchise in the US in 2026?
Among the 2 brands FRANticc compares, the top options by network size are RE/MAX, EXIT Realty (RE/MAX: 2994 stores, EXIT Realty: 518 stores). The lowest investment entry is RE/MAX from $37K. "Best" depends on your capital, your market and how hands-on you plan to be — this page gives you the data for all three dimensions.