National Franchise Brokerages Explained

The short version

Franchise brands are the most familiar names on yard signs. For a new agent, the key point is that the deal comes from the office, not only from the brand.

We do not give an opinion on any company. We use SEC filings, and we label each fact with its source and check date. The Bauer Group is also a brokerage, so we compete with these brands. Read with that in mind.

Education only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm licensing rules with TREC.

What the model is

A company owns a brand and sells the right to use it. The local owner is the franchisee. The franchisee pays the brand company and runs the office. Agents then join that office.

The RE/MAX Holdings 10-K for 2025 says franchisees "fund and manage their own operations" and work with agents as independent contractors. The Compass 10-K for 2025 says franchisees of its brands "operate their brokerage businesses independently."

What the filings say about money

These are the company's own words about what franchisees pay. They are not what agents pay. Agent terms are set by each office.

How agents are typically paid

Each office sets its own plan. A plan may be a split, a flat fee, a cap, or a mix. There may also be desk fees, technology fees or yearly dues. The RE/MAX report says franchisees can negotiate terms. The Compass report gives no agent split for Coldwell Banker or Century 21.

So ask for the office's plan on one page, in writing. Compare it with other offices, including ones with the same brand.

Who owns the client and the listing

This is set by your agreement with the office. Ask who holds the listing, who holds the client relationship, and what happens to pending deals if you leave.

How leads usually arrive

This varies by office. Some offices pass along calls to the front desk or sign calls. Some offer lead programs at extra cost. Ask exactly what is provided and put it in writing.

Typical support

A franchise office often has a physical place to walk into, a managing broker nearby, and local training. Quality depends on the office, so visit more than one. Ask who coaches new agents, by name.

Changes to know about

The Compass 10-K says Compass finished buying Anywhere Real Estate on January 9, 2026. Anywhere owned Coldwell Banker and Century 21. A filing dated August 24, 2026 says RE/MAX Holdings is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Real REMAX Group Inc. Neither filing we read says what changes for agents. Ask each office for current written terms.

What companies say about their own risks

Public companies must list risks in their annual report. A risk line is not a finding of fault. These are short quotes, not our views.

• RE/MAX says court cases on commission rules "could reduce REMAX agent count and/or the fees we receive from our franchisees and agents."
• Compass lists "risks related to the significant increase in our franchise business" as a risk.
• Compass also lists the "ability to recruit and retain real estate professionals at the same rate as in the past."

What agents and reviewers say

Review data was limited when this page was written. We could not load a public review source that allows reading, so we are not reporting review counts, scores or quotes. We will not guess what agents think.

Because offices differ, one agent's story tells you about one office. Ask two or three agents in the office you are considering what surprised them in their first year.

Eight questions to ask any franchise office

These are our planning questions, not TREC rules. Get the answers in writing.

• Who owns this office, and who is the broker I would work under?
• What is the commission plan, and does it change after a set number of deals?
• What desk fees, franchise charges or technology fees come out of my pay?
• What yearly dues do I owe?
• How and when am I paid after closing?
• What training is there in my first 90 days, and who gives it?
• How do leads reach agents, if at all?
• What happens to my pending deals if I leave?

Who may want to look closer, and who may want to compare more

We do not say who should join any brokerage. These are questions that help you decide for yourself.

You may want to look closer if you value a known name on your sign and an office to walk into. Visit more than one office, since terms differ.

You may want to compare more if low cost per deal matters most to you. Ask each office to put every charge on one page.

How we wrote this

Sources: the RE/MAX Holdings Form 10-K for 2025 and Form 8-K dated August 24, 2026, and the Compass Form 10-K for 2025, all on SEC EDGAR and checked October 14 and 15, 2026. We did not use a source that sets agent fees, so no agent fee amounts appear here.

Experiences vary by office and team. If you see an error, write to agents@joinbauergroup.com. We apply corrections within 2 business days.

Comparing options?

Ask any brokerage the same questions. Our guides on choosing a brokerage in Texas and the six types of brokerages can help you set up your list. See also our profiles of RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker and Century 21.