How to Start a Red Roof Inn Franchise in 7 Steps: Checklist

The 2026 Franchise Application does not publish a universal minimum credit score, net-worth threshold, or liquid-capital requirement. Instead, Red Roof Franchising, LLC collects project, ownership, management, financing, site, and financial information and authorizes credit and background investigations. Meeting the documentation requirements does not guarantee application approval.

The application checklist also asks for a signed FDD receipt, the signed application, required financial statements, organizational documents, proof of land control, and the application fee. The governing Construction and Renovation Addenda contain a contractual backstop if site-control evidence was not previously provided: it must be delivered within 90 days after execution or before the Opening Date, whichever is earlier. A buyer should verify with Red Roof which land-control document is required at the application stage for the specific project.

The day counts below are separate trigger-based periods; they are not additive and do not create a second total opening estimate. The 12–18 month and 3–9 month figures remain the FDD’s overall planning estimates for new builds and conversions.

Red Roof Inn & Suites, Red Roof PLUS+, and Red Roof PLUS+ & Suites use an additional brand addendum but otherwise remain within the Red Roof Inn franchise system. The official new-build page, conversion page, and dual-brand page describe the available development concepts; the FDD and signed agreements control the contractual opening requirements.

Red Roof’s official design and construction and operational support pages describe development and grand-opening support. Contractually, however, the franchisee remains responsible for the site, construction or renovation, local compliance, employees, and opening readiness. Red Roof does not guarantee permits, financing, contractor performance, or a specific opening date.

The Franchise Agreement requires a designated Manager before the Opening Date. It requires the franchisee or Manager to successfully complete RED Advantage Training before opening unless Red Roof approves otherwise in writing; Item 11 states that the identified General Manager must complete the two RED Advantage phases to Red Roof’s satisfaction. Field training at the Inn covers front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, management, the Reservation Platform / PMS, brand standards, customer service, and accounts receivable, beginning approximately two to six days before opening and continuing through the first night audit. New Owner Orientation is separate and is required within six months after opening or a transfer, so it is not itself a pre-opening authorization gate.

Opening authorization is a separate gate. The applicable addendum requires completed construction or required renovation work, a Certificate of Occupancy, contractor certification, installed furnishings and equipment, required signage and supplies, payment of amounts due, and written notice that the Inn is ready. Red Roof then uses best efforts to inspect within 14 days. If the property is not ready, a re-visit may be required before authorization. A conditional opening is available only at Red Roof’s discretion and must be documented in writing.

The verified path is: choose the development format and proposed site, receive and review the FDD, complete the disclosure waiting period, submit the application and qualification package, obtain site and applicant approval, sign the Franchise Agreement and applicable addenda, meet site-control and project Schedule A obligations, complete approved construction or renovation, install required systems, finish training and staffing, satisfy local approvals, and obtain Red Roof’s written authorization to open.

The total timeline is officially estimated at 12–18 months for new construction and 3–9 months for a conversion, measured from Franchise Agreement signing. The most important applicant-controlled dependency is completing the property, systems, training, and readiness package to the signed schedule. The most important external dependencies are Red Roof’s plan/readiness approvals and third-party financing, permits, contractors, suppliers, and Certificate of Occupancy. The key unresolved contractual timing issue to verify before signing is the project-specific Schedule A, because the form FDD does not supply the actual commencement, completion, or Opening Date deadlines for a specific hotel.