Clarion
Lodging & Hospitality · Hotel Resorts
Description
What is Clarion?
Each Clarion property is thoughtfully designed to deliver a superior guest experience, featuring modern amenities such as spacious meeting facilities, on-site restaurants, and well-appointed rooms. The brand distinguishes itself through its commitment to creating spaces where guests can connect, relax, and conduct business efficiently.
What sets Clarion apart is its adaptable business model that allows franchisees to maintain individual property character while benefiting from Choice Hotels' robust reservation system, award-winning loyalty program (Choice Privileges), and comprehensive operational support. Franchisees gain access to industry-leading technology platforms, extensive marketing resources, and ongoing training programs.
The brand's strategic positioning in the upper-midscale segment captures a valuable market niche, attracting both corporate clients and family travelers. With locations primarily in business districts and near major attractions, Clarion hotels are positioned to capitalize on diverse revenue streams throughout the year.
For entrepreneurs looking to enter the hospitality industry, Clarion offers a proven business model backed by six decades of experience and the strength of one of the world's largest hotel companies. The brand's commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction, combined with its comprehensive support system, creates a compelling opportunity for those seeking to build a successful hotel operation.
- 60-year proven hospitality track record since 1963
- 93% lower investment than hotel resort sub-sector average
- Established presence with 114 active franchise units
- Six decades of market stability and brand recognition
- Accessible franchise model for hospitality entrepreneurs
- Mature franchise system with selective growth approach
Location Analysis
Where Clarion wins
The brand's average rating of 4.2 across numerous customer reviews indicates consistent service quality and guest satisfaction, particularly important in the competitive hotel resort sector. This above-average rating suggests strong operational standards and market positioning against other mid-scale hotel chains.
The current geographic footprint reveals opportunities for expansion, particularly in the Midwest and Mountain regions where coverage is less dense. Successful Clarion locations typically thrive in areas with strong business travel corridors, tourist attractions, or major transportation hubs. Ideal locations feature proximity to airports, business districts, or tourist destinations, with strong demographic indicators including median household income above $60,000 and population densities supporting year-round occupancy.
Prospective franchisees should focus on underserved markets within existing strong regions, particularly secondary cities in Pennsylvania, New York, and California where brand recognition is already established but market saturation hasn't occurred.
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Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Clarion
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $410,345 to $2,594,395. The midpoint $1,502,370 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Clarion's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Clarion franchise typically ranges between $410,345.00 and $2,594,395.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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