About Graduate by Hilton Franchise
Graduate by Hilton is a boutique hotel brand celebrating the spirit of university towns across the United States.
Each property is uniquely designed to reflect the culture, history, and personality of its college-town location, creating a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience that resonates with alumni, families, and travelers.
Backed by Hiltons world-class reservation system, loyalty program, and operational expertise, Graduate Hotels offer franchisees a differentiated hospitality concept in the upscale lifestyle segment.
Graduate by Hilton Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$990
Average Investment
$33.1M
Maximum Investment
$66.3M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $100,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of Gross Rooms Revenue of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Total Investment Range | $990 – $66,250,000 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $990–$66.3M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The ongoing royalty fee is 5% of Gross Rooms Revenue of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Leasehold Improvements (Note 6) | $11,250,000 | $66,250,000 |
| Designer & Engineering Fees | $450,000 | $2,640,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (Note 7) | $2,100,000 | $7,500,000 |
| Inventory & Operating Equipment (Note 8) | $1,500,000 | $2,500,000 |
| Signage (Note 9) | $45,000 | $135,000 |
| Computer Hardware and Software Systems (Note 10) | $120,000 | $239,800 |
| Guest Internet Access System (Note 10) | $70,950 | $146,550 |
| Delphi Sales and Events System (Note 10) | $990 | $41,000 |
| Connected Room System (Note 10) | $30,750 | $36,750 |
| Required Pre-Opening Training (Note 11) | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| ADA Consultant Fee (Note 12) | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| Construction/Renovation Extension Fee (Note 13) | $0 | $10,000 |
| Organizational Expense (Note 15) | $75,000 | $300,000 |
| Permits & Licenses (Note 16) | $168,750 | $990,000 |
| Miscellaneous Pre-Opening & Project Management Expenses (Note 17) | $600,000 | $1,980,000 |
| Contingencies (Note 18) | $1,125,000 | $6,600,000 |
| Additional Funds (Note 19) | $900,000 | $1,300,000 |
| Other Required Pre-opening Services Fees (Note 20) | $23,979 | $28,710 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Audit Fee | $5,500 |
| Monthly Program Fee | 4% of Gross Rooms Revenue. |
| Room Addition Fee | $400 |
| OnQ Additional Rooms Fee | $120 |
| OnQ Connectivity Fees | $1,485 |
| OnQ Interface Fees | $1,000 |
| OnQ Email Fees | $7.92 |
| Connected Room Maintenance Fees | $530 |
| Delphi Sales and Events System | $858 |
| Guest Assistance Program: Customer Satisfaction Guarantee | $300 |
| Guest Assistance Program: Price Match Guarantee | Hotels must honor a 25% discount off the lower rate on all approved claims. |
| Guest Assistance Program: First Contact Resolution | $15 |
| Guest Assistance Program: Online Complaints | $25 |
| Brand Compliance Consecutive Unacceptable Fee | $5,500 |
| Brand Compliance PIP Consecutive Failure Fee | $16,000 |
| Brand Conference | $2,500 |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | exclusive |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Renewal Term | You do not have the right to renew or extend the Franchise Agreement. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | Does not offer financing. |
Graduate by Hilton Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Graduate by Hilton does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Graduate by Hilton does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Graduate by Hilton Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordGraduate by Hilton has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Graduate by Hilton System Growth
Total Units
0
Franchised
0
Company-Owned
0
Graduate by Hilton currently operates 0 franchised locations and 0 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
Graduate by Hilton Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Graduate by Hilton franchise ranges from $990 to $66,250,000, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $100,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Graduate by Hilton charges a royalty fee of 5% of Gross Rooms Revenue of gross sales. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Graduate by Hilton Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Graduate by Hilton to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Graduate by Hilton does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Graduate by Hilton has been offering franchise opportunities. The FDD shows an investment range of $990-$66,250,000, a 5% of Gross Rooms Revenue royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $100,000 and the total investment ranges from $990 to $66,250,000 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Graduate by Hilton and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Graduate by Hilton or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com