7. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The following table provides the components of the Company’s intangible assets (in thousands, except weighted average amortization period in years):

Weighted

  ​ ​ ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​ ​ ​

Average

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

Amortization

Initial

Accumulated

Net

Initial

Accumulated

Net

Period

Cost

Amortization

Balance

Cost

Amortization

Balance

Franchise agreements

12.3

$

224,231

$

(157,151)

$

67,080

$

222,055

$

(140,869)

$

81,186

Other intangible assets:

Software (a)

2.9

$

55,884

$

(46,455)

$

9,429

$

57,243

$

(46,829)

$

10,414

Trademarks

10.8

835

(527)

308

900

(684)

216

Non-compete agreements

5.0

12,917

(11,880)

1,037

12,721

(9,969)

2,752

Training materials

2,400

(2,400)

Other

870

(870)

Total other intangible assets

3.7

$

69,636

$

(58,862)

$

10,774

$

74,134

$

(60,752)

$

13,382

(a)As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, capitalized software development costs of $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, were related to technology projects not yet complete and ready for their intended use and thus were not subject to amortization.

Amortization expense was $23.5 million, $27.2 million and $29.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of December 31, 2025, the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets includes the estimated amortization expense associated with the Company’s intangible assets assumed with the Company’s acquisitions (in thousands):

2026

$

18,650

2027

11,695

2028

9,629

2029

7,194

2030

6,768

Thereafter

23,918

$

77,854

The following table presents changes to goodwill by reportable segment for the period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 (in thousands):

Real Estate

Balance, January 1, 2024 (a)

$

241,164

Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

(3,925)

Balance, January 1, 2025

$

237,239

Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates

2,333

Balance, December 31, 2025

$

239,572

(a)As of January 1, 2024, the Real Estate segment had a gross goodwill balance of $253.4 million and accumulated impairment losses of $12.2 million. The Mortgage segment goodwill balance was fully impaired during the fourth quarter of 2023, recognizing accumulated impairment losses of $18.6 million. The Marketing Funds segment does not have a goodwill balance.

Impairment charge - goodwill

The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at least annually or whenever an event occurs, or circumstances change that would indicate impairment may have occurred at the reporting unit level. Reporting units are driven by the level at which segment management reviews operating results. The Company did not record any goodwill impairments for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. 

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company tested and identified impairment indicators associated with the Mortgage reporting unit in the Mortgage Segment, primarily due to a decline in projected net cash flows resulting from continued macroeconomic pressures and revised franchise sales forecasts. Therefore, the Company fully impaired the reporting unit’s goodwill and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $18.6 million in “Settlement and impairment charges” in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 19, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 20, 2025
2023Feb 22, 2024
2022Feb 28, 2023
2021Feb 23, 2022
2020Feb 25, 2021
2019Feb 21, 2020
2018Feb 22, 2019
2017Mar 15, 2018
2016Feb 24, 2017
2015Feb 26, 2016

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.