Posted:16-March-2009
CHOICE HOTELS NAMED WORLD'S 13TH FASTEST-GROWING FRANCHISE COMPANY
Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), the global hotel group behind the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands and one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, has been named as the world’s 13th fastest-growing franchise company by US-based ‘Entrepreneur’ magazine.
The company currently franchises more than 5,700 hotels worldwide and has a global pipeline of 1,108 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development. Earlier this week its UK subsidiary, Choice Hotels Europe, unveiled plans to further strengthen its UK business.
At a meeting attended by more than 40 representatives from the banking, finance and investment community at the prestigious 500 year-old Royal Exchange in the City of London, Choice Hotels Europe announced that it intends to grow by entering into more third-party direct franchising agreements with UK-based companies and individuals. It is also interested in working with individual hoteliers and independent hotel groups who want to benefit from a global brand and operation that Choice Hotels International can bring.
Duncan Berry, Chief Operating Officer, Choice Hotels Europe, commented: “Our healthy pipeline of new hotels demonstrate that even in these challenging economic times franchisees want to work with a strong global franchise brand. As the largest pure global hotel franchising business we have the expertise, support and scope to help our franchisees succeed.’’
Choice Hotels Europe’s portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travellers a full spectrum from premium economy to luxury hotels. Choice Hotels Europe franchises over 500 hotels across Europe alone, including 44 here in the UK that will soon benefit from an enhanced brand standards programme to be rolled out during 2009.
In the last three months Choice Hotels Europe has opened eight new European hotels in Norway, Italy, Sweden and Latvia. Other hotels, including the design-led Quality Hotel, Maida Vale, London are on track to open later in 2009. Last year Choice Hotels International announced its agreement with Kasterlee Limited which will deliver several Clarion branded hotels in the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia.
The company currently franchises more than 5,700 hotels worldwide and has a global pipeline of 1,108 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development. Earlier this week its UK subsidiary, Choice Hotels Europe, unveiled plans to further strengthen its UK business.
At a meeting attended by more than 40 representatives from the banking, finance and investment community at the prestigious 500 year-old Royal Exchange in the City of London, Choice Hotels Europe announced that it intends to grow by entering into more third-party direct franchising agreements with UK-based companies and individuals. It is also interested in working with individual hoteliers and independent hotel groups who want to benefit from a global brand and operation that Choice Hotels International can bring.
Duncan Berry, Chief Operating Officer, Choice Hotels Europe, commented: “Our healthy pipeline of new hotels demonstrate that even in these challenging economic times franchisees want to work with a strong global franchise brand. As the largest pure global hotel franchising business we have the expertise, support and scope to help our franchisees succeed.’’
Choice Hotels Europe’s portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travellers a full spectrum from premium economy to luxury hotels. Choice Hotels Europe franchises over 500 hotels across Europe alone, including 44 here in the UK that will soon benefit from an enhanced brand standards programme to be rolled out during 2009.
In the last three months Choice Hotels Europe has opened eight new European hotels in Norway, Italy, Sweden and Latvia. Other hotels, including the design-led Quality Hotel, Maida Vale, London are on track to open later in 2009. Last year Choice Hotels International announced its agreement with Kasterlee Limited which will deliver several Clarion branded hotels in the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia.
