Travel demand keeps climbing. AirDNA reports that U.S. short-term rentals averaged $169 in RevPAR during summer 2025 while maintaining 58 percent occupancy nationwide (AirDNA). Yet many hosts still struggle with dynamic pricing, marketing, and tightening permit rules. That gap is driving a fresh wave of vacation-rental franchises that package technology, compliance support, and homeowner acquisition into one solution. In this guide, we’ll spotlight five systems poised to boost your revenue and territory growth in 2026.
The market tailwinds you can’t ignore
Travel demand hasn’t merely recovered; it keeps setting records. According to AirDNA, U.S. short-term rentals booked 4 percent more nights in summer 2025 than the year prior, and average RevPAR hit a new high of $169. Meanwhile, a Businesswire report notes that supply growth slowed from 22 percent in 2022 to 6.9 percent in 2024, giving operators breathing room and lifting RevPAR 3.4 percent for the first time since the pandemic.
Looking ahead, AirDNA’s 2025 Outlook forecasts national occupancy reaching 54.9 percent by December 2025 as demand rises another 4.9 percent while supply growth slips to 4.7 percent, again according to figures shared via Businesswire.
Investors are following the guests. Statista projects U.S. vacation-rental revenue will reach $22.11 billion in 2025 and climb toward $29 billion by 2030. Because franchise royalties and marketing funds scale with gross bookings, expanding revenue leaves room for new entrants.
Regulation is also shifting toward professional hosts. Arizona’s SB 1168 now allows cities to require permits, liability insurance, and noise controls for short-term rentals. In Florida, Pinellas County mandates a certificate of use plus safety and parking compliance for every rental, effective 2025. Franchisors that provide compliance dashboards and legislative support give you a head start over solo hosts who must track new rules on their own. For example, vacation-rental franchise SkyRun equips its owners with local permitting guidance and ongoing compliance support, so properties stay legally rentable even as rules evolve.
Combine these factors—demand outpacing supply, stronger unit economics, and regulation that favors full-service operators—and 2026 looks set to reward branded, tech-driven franchises.
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How we picked and ranked the five franchises
Transparency matters, so here’s our playbook: numbers first, opinions second.
- Initial screening. We gathered every vacation-rental brand with an active 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and at least 15 U.S. territories, which left 12 candidates, according to the Entrepreneur franchise directory.
- Unit economics check. For brands that publish Item 19 data, we compared median gross bookings with the required start-up capital. Example: Grand Welcome reported $4.18 million average gross bookings per territory in its 2023 FDD versus $68,000–$170,000 to open.
- Growth momentum. We rewarded brands showing triple-digit net-unit growth since 2022. Grand Welcome expanded to 73 units, up 192 percent in three years, according to Entrepreneur’s 2025 directory.
- Five-factor scorecard. Each contender earned 1–5 points in five equally weighted buckets: ROI potential, recent unit growth, fee load, tech and marketing support, and regulatory resilience, for a maximum of 25.
- Voice-of-franchisee audit. We spoke with at least two current owners per brand to verify that FDD promises match day-to-day reality.
Only five brands cleared both the quantitative threshold (top-quartile composite score) and the qualitative test (positive owner sentiment). That’s why you’ll see a focused list ahead, not a long directory—just the franchises positioned to win in 2026.
SkyRun Vacation Rentals: local heart, big-brand backbone
SkyRun tops our list because it pairs genuine owner autonomy with a 20-year operating playbook.
Founded in Colorado in 2004, SkyRun began franchising nationally in 2022. As of June 2025, the network spans 48 U.S. territories, so prime resort markets remain open.
Investment math. The 2024 FDD lists a start-up range of $105,080–$153,980, which includes a territory fee of $55,000–$75,000 and minimum cash of $25,000. Ongoing fees are five percent royalty plus one percent brand fund, a middle-of-the-road cost for this sector.
Lean launch. You can run the business from a home office with no retail lease or inventory. Many franchisees stay solo until they manage about 25 homes.
Tech stack. SkyRun’s proprietary platform syndicates listings to Airbnb, Vrbo, and more than 50 niche online travel agencies, executes dynamic pricing, and provides an owner portal. Group-buy pricing on linens and insurance reduces overhead, savings independents seldom secure.
Training & support. New owners attend a week-long “SkyRun Start” course at headquarters, followed by monthly KPI coaching. Early franchisees report direct access to corporate staff during peak-season crunches, an uncommon perk in franchising.
Ideal fit. Hands-on operators in ski, beach, or lake markets who plan to scale past 40 homes without building software from scratch. If you prefer a rigid corporate playbook, choose another brand; if local flexibility plus national muscle sounds right, SkyRun delivers.
Grand Welcome: scaling fast and printing revenue
Grand Welcome moves quickly and makes no apologies for its pace.
Franchising began in 2020, and by March 2025 the network had 73 U.S. territories, up 192 percent in three years. That growth signals two things: unmet market demand and a franchisor capable of onboarding owners without breaking its systems.
Unit economics. The 2023 FDD shows corporate locations averaging $4.18 million in gross bookings and $68,192 in average annual unit gross revenue per home managed. Franchisees typically keep about ten to fifteen percent of gross revenue after expenses, creating mid-six-figure profit potential once you manage sixty or more homes.
Investment profile. Startup costs range $68,000–$170,000, including a tiered franchise fee that starts at $49,000. Ongoing fees are eight percent royalty plus one percent brand fund and a required $1,500–$2,500 monthly local ad spend, as outlined in Item 7 of the 2024 FDD. Higher royalties are balanced by corporate lead flow and a reservation center that answers guest inquiries after hours.
Support system. New owners attend “Grand Welcome University,” receive on-site launch help, and join weekly performance calls. A central reservations team handles late-night guest messages, which helps you maintain work–life balance during peak season.
Ideal owner. Ambitious entrepreneurs in sizeable vacation markets who want to reach fifty or more homes quickly. If you enjoy marketing and people management, Grand Welcome supplies the playbook and the microphone.
Casago: lower royalty, owner-first culture
Casago started in Mexico in 2001 and entered United States franchising in 2021. By May 2025 the brand operated 53 franchise markets across North America and earned a spot on Entrepreneur’s “Top New Franchise” list.
Investment & fees. The 2024 FDD shows an initial investment of $83,000–$329,000 and a three-and-a-half percent royalty, the lowest in our top five. Casago also charges a flat $99 per property for its technology suite instead of a percentage of revenue, which becomes cost-effective after you manage about fifty homes.
Training & tech. Each principal attends Casago University, covering dynamic pricing, trust accounting, and a unified dashboard that automates maintenance tickets and 24-7 guest messaging. Listings syndicate to Airbnb, Vrbo, and Marriott Homes & Villas through an application programming interface.
Culture edge. Chief Executive Officer Steve Schwab’s ORANGE credo—Owners, Renters, Anticipate, Nurture, Guide, Excellence—drives weekly mastermind calls and annual summits. Franchisees praise a “share-the-playbook” mindset that helps when regulations or seasonality shift.
Ideal fit. Capital-ready operators with a hospitality mindset who value long-term owner relationships and want higher margins as they scale. If you can invest up front for lower ongoing fees and a collaborative network, Casago presents a strong option.
iTrip Vacations: lifestyle business with national reach
Some franchises keep you tied to a storefront. iTrip was built for Wi-Fi nomads.
Founded in 2008 and franchising since 2015, the Tennessee-based brand now counts 117 territories across the United States, a 28.6 percent expansion over three years, according to Entrepreneur’s 2025 directory. Franchisees can manage Florida condos while living in Denver, as long as they maintain reliable local cleaners and inspectors.
Investment & fees. Entrepreneur lists a start-up range of $112,000–$153,000 with a sliding royalty that begins at four percent of monthly revenue and caps just above six percent as you scale. A modest 0.5–1 percent marketing fee funds national campaigns.
Marketing engine. iTrip syndicates listings to more than eighty booking sites, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Marriott Homes & Villas, through its proprietary property-management system. Corporate also runs pay-per-click and search-engine-optimization campaigns, saving you the cost of an in-house marketing hire. For inspiration on complementary email and social tactics you can layer on locally, check out these vacation-rental marketing ideas for 2025.
Training & support. New owners spend a week in Nashville mastering software and sales, then partner with a veteran mentor for monthly check-ins. A 24-7 call center handles late-night guest issues, so you can focus on growth instead of midnight messages.
Ideal fit. Relationship-driven entrepreneurs who value location flexibility and lean overhead. If you want a business that travels as freely as your guests and still delivers recurring revenue, iTrip deserves a look.
Property Management Inc.: diversify your income streams
Vacation rentals can swing between feast and famine; PMI gives owners a hedge. Founded in 2008, the Utah-based franchisor bundles four profit pillars (vacation, long-term residential, homeowners association, and commercial management) within one agreement.
Investment & fees. Entrepreneur’s 2025 directory lists a start-up range of $77,000–$154,000, a six percent royalty, and a two percent technology and marketing fee. Franchisees may launch with one pillar and add others later for an incremental fee, easing the learning curve.
Scale & buying power. PMI operated 417 U.S. territories as of January 2025, the largest footprint in our top five. That scale unlocks group pricing on insurance, smart locks, and software—savings you can redirect to growth.
Training runway. New owners attend a week at headquarters, then work with dedicated coaches for each pillar. If you need to address a homeowners-association board for the first time, PMI’s peer network puts a seasoned operator one call away.
Ideal fit. Operators seeking a durable, multi-channel real-estate business rather than a pure short-term-rental play. If spreadsheets light up when you see diversified revenue streams, PMI belongs on your shortlist.
How the five franchises stack up at a glance
| Franchise | Initial investment | Franchise fee | Ongoing fees | U.S. units (Jan 2025) | Differentiator |
| SkyRun | $105k–$154k | $55k–$75k (territory-based) | five percent royalty + one percent brand fund | 48* | Resort markets, home-office launch |
| Grand Welcome | $68k–$170k | $49k–$109k (tiered) | eight percent royalty + one percent brand fund + $1.5k–$2.5k local ads | 73† | Highest average revenue per unit, fast growth |
| Casago | $83k–$329k | ≈$60k | 3.5 percent royalty + $99 per property tech fee | 53‡ | Lowest royalty, owner-first culture |
| iTrip | $112k–$153k | ≈$55k | 4–6 percent royalty + 0.5–1 percent marketing | 117† | Work-from-anywhere model, 80+ OTAs |
| PMI | $77k–$154k | $15k–$62k (pillar-based) | six percent royalty + two percent tech & marketing | 417† | Diversified four-pillar revenue |
SkyRun 2025 territory estimate from company press release.
†Entrepreneur Franchise 500 directory, 2025 edition.
‡VeteransFranchise.com report on Casago’s 2025 footprint.
What the numbers say
- Fee spread. Casago’s 3.5 percent royalty is roughly half of Grand Welcome’s rate, yet Grand Welcome’s higher average gross bookings can offset the larger cut.
- Territory availability. PMI and iTrip cover most of the map. Newer networks such as SkyRun and Casago still offer green-field resort or second-home markets.
- Support style. Large systems like PMI and iTrip provide mature processes, while smaller brands such as SkyRun and Grand Welcome update technology more quickly and supply hands-on help.
Conclusion
Use these contrasts to assess your top priority—whether that is cash flow, lifestyle, or risk diversification—before you sign a franchise agreement.
