Keller Williams (kwx)
Keller Williams is the world's largest real estate franchise with more than 169K agents.
- Name:
- Keller Williams (kwx)
- Founded:
- 1983 (Keller Williams); 2020 (kwx)
- Location:
- Austin, Texas
- Annual sales volume:
- $439.6 Billion (2022)
- Number of agents:
- 169,000+
Corporate evolution
Gary Keller and Joe Williams partnered to start a single office in Austin with a "handful of agents and some folding tables and chairs." Within two years, Keller Williams was the largest brokerage in the market. But when the mid-'80s recession hit, KW lost half of its agents and quickly adopted innovations that defined the company culture. They began offering profit-sharing and other agent-centered policies to recruit and retain agents and were back on top in a year. KW began offering franchises in 1991 and expanded to Canada in 1998. Keller Williams Worldwide launched in 2012 and the company began leaning hard into technology in 2017, producing tools like "Kelle," an AI virtual assistant. In 2020, the KW brands reorganized under a new holding company, kwx. Today, it is the largest real estate franchise in the world (in terms of agent count).
How they describe themselves
"A technology company that provides the real estate platform that our agents' buyers and sellers prefer. Keller Williams thinks like a top producer, acts like a trainer-consultant, and focuses all its activities on service, productivity, and profitability."
What others are saying
Both Yale and Stanford have made KW case studies part of their MBA curriculum, in part because of the strong company culture. "Keller Williams scores favorably among many positive cultural attributes, in particular having a family-like culture, willingness to help in a time of need, and caring about the personal success of its associates," Stanford researchers concluded.
"Keller Williams's belief system offers a unifying template for action and understanding, reminding associates that customers always come first, trust begins with honesty and people drive success. This system itself is proof of the company's commitment to the belief that everyone achieves more through teamwork," according to Indeed.com.
Charitable efforts
Agents are encouraged to support KW Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping Keller Williams associates experiencing hardships related to everything from a natural disaster to a medical emergency. KW Cares "tithes" 10% to community-based nonprofits.
Keller Williams also supports Keller Williams Kids Can which provides coaching and scholarships to encourage young people to expand their potential. And KW designates the second Thursday of every May to Renew, Energize and Donate. RED Day finds KW offices worldwide spending the day in service to their communities.
Social
Web
Did you know?
Keller Williams Family Reunion is the company's annual four-day event bringing together executives, employees and associates for training and networking. Co-founder Gary Keller's band provides entertainment.