AHLA Sues Biden Administration Over Franchise-Model Destroying Rule

AHLA | November 10, 2023

WASHINGTON (Nov. 10, 2023) – Today, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas challenging the legality of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) new “joint-employer” regulation. The suit contends the NLRB has violated the National Labor Relations Act and is acting arbitrarily and capriciously in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The NLRB issued a new joint-employer standard Oct. 26 that will force hotel brands to the collective bargaining table with franchised employees over w...

How Technology Is Making De-Flagging Easier and Levels the Playing Field for Going Independent

Aaron Shepherd | October 31, 2023

By Aaron Shepherd, the CEO and Co-Founder of APS (Above Property Services) For many of us, entrepreneurship is a terrifying pursuit. Breaking away from the traditional mold to create something new or different is, admittedly, the path of more resistance. It takes courage, innovative thinking and creativity, agility, relentless execution and unflappable commitment to make it work – and even then, many ventures will fail. But those ventures that do find success act as a beacon to anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit; a sign that big dreams can, sometimes, glean even bigger results. Within the world of entrepreneurship, however, exists ...

Sonesta Launches Two New Soft Brands, Expanding Its Presence in the Upper-Upscale and Upscale Segments

Sonesta | June 12, 2023

Newton, MA (June 12, 2023) – Sonesta International Hotel Corporation (Sonesta) today announced the debut of two soft brands within its expanding portfolio, Classico, A Sonesta Collection (Classico) and MOD, A Sonesta Collection (MOD). These two new brands offer independent hotel owners the opportunity to affiliate with Sonesta’s network while retaining their own iconic hotel names, identities, designs and established styles. All Classico and MOD hotels will be included on Sonesta’s website and have access to its extensive distribution channels and services. Classico, positioned in the upper-upscale segment, blends local authentic...

AAHOA | May 30, 2023

ATLANTA, Ga., May 25 – New Jersey lawmakers today voted in favor of legislation to help restore balance to the relationship between hotel Franchisors and Franchisees, advancing a bill backed by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) that would ensure greater fairness in the system and strengthen protections for franchise businesses. New Jersey’s Assembly Bill 1958, which passed the Assembly today, supports AAHOA’s four core pillars of franchise advocacy to reform rules for mandated vendors, rebates, loyalty programs and new fees. AAHOA represents more than 60% of U.S. hotel owners and nearly half of all New Jersey hot...

Hoteliers Can Regain Industry Control

Thomas Magnuson | December 5, 2022

By Thomas Magnuson Before 2001, the hotel industry was stable. Owners dealt with seasonality and some occasional minor economic swings, but they could always count on a rebound. Whether operating as a branded or independent hotel, business was built like a layer cake. First, marketing began close to home by identifying all non-leisure business segments within a 50-mile radius of the hotel, such as corporations, factories, industries, energy, construction, transportation, medical, government and educational entities. Direct contact and an offer of direct rates built a base of approximately 50% of the property’s occupancy, coverin...

Choice Hotels Introduces ‘Your Key to Profit’ Resource to Benefit Franchise Owners

Choice Hotels® | September 13, 2022

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 13, 2022 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH),--one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, is building on its longstanding commitment to increasing owner profitability with a free resource for its hotel owners: Your Key to Profit. Launching in the fourth quarter of 2022, the new platform will centralize all Choice's proprietary profitability tools in an on-demand, mobile-friendly system to better enable success for owners' hotels. "Choice Hotels' award-winning tools, capabilities, and expert advice from revenue management consultants enable franchise owners to quickly execute the right pricing str...

Sonesta Launches Global Hotel Franchising Organization

Sonesta | March 31, 2021

Positioned to Grow Current Base of Approximately 1,200 Franchised and Managed Hotels and Leading Brands Across Multiple Customer Segments Brian Quinn Appointed as Sonesta Franchising’s Chief Development Officer Newton, MA – March 31, 2021 – Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) today announced the launch of its renewed global hotel franchising organization. Less than ten days after completing its acquisition of RLH Corporation, Sonesta is now one of the largest hotel companies, with approximately 1,200 franchised and managed properties. The company offers a complete platform of franchise services, hotel operations, and f...

Why More Hotels Are Owned by Franchisees

JLL | February 4, 2020

February 04, 2020 The last decade has seen a continued shift in hotel ownership. In 2010, roughly 70% of branded hotels were franchised operations. By 2019, that figure rose to roughly 80%. Major hotel brands have led the charge. Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International and Intercontinental Hotels Group — the top 5 franchisors by total room count in the U.S. — collectively represent 82% of total franchised branded rooms, according to STR and JLL Research. These companies continue to move away from owning the real estate portion of properties and toward a model where th...