September 03, 2010
Topics:Industries:
|
Your Travel Franchise News SourceFranchise News Watch brings you the latest in travel franchising news from around the web. As a news aggregator for the travel franchise industry, Franchise News Watch streams the latest ground breaking franchise articles, features, guides, blogs, news and more directly to your desktop.  Travel Franchise NewsThe Fans Have Spoken:"Project: Aloft Star" Reveals Three Finalists in Aloft Hotels' Franchise Online Talent CompetitionRemember the names Adrian Bourgeois, The Jen Lowe Band and Jake Smith. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Launches Its First Application for BlackBerry SmartphonesStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program announce the launch of the SPG Appfor BlackBerry(R) smartphones. To celebrate the launch, SPG will give away 100,000 Starpoints(R) to two l Aloft Franchise Hotels Makes Landmark Debut in EuropeStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT) and its new destination sensation brand, Aloft(R) Hotels, announce that Aloft Brussels Schuman, the first Aloft hotel in Europe, opens today. Aloft Hotels delivers urban-inspired, modern design a Double Your Rewards, Earn Free Nights Faster This Fall with Choice Hotels FranchiseChoice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is offering travelers the chance to earn double Choice Privileges points on each and every qualifying stay at its economy and extended stay brand hotels this fall.* Econo Lodge Franchise and Rodeway Inn Sponsor Rebuilding Dreams Together - The National Rebuilding Project to Help Homeowners in NeedThis summer, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn have teamed up with Rebuilding Together, the signature cause of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), to help homeowners in need through the Rebuilding Dreams Together project. The public vote decides whic IHG Franchise Pays Back Guests for Their Checked Bag Fees This Holiday SeasonAs U.S. residents make travel plans for the holidays, or simply for a weekend getaway between now and the end of the year, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is rewarding their guests by reimbursing checked baggage fees. Beginning Aug. 16, when traveller Choice Hotels Franchise Launches Innovative Music Initiative to Support Nonprofit Causes and MusiciansChoice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is proud to announce the launch of Choice Hotels Music – an innovative new music initiative designed to give artists the rare opportunity to deliver their music to millions of consumers and retain owners Aloft Franchise Opens First Hotel in OklahomaStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announces the debut of its Aloft brand in Oklahoma with the opening of Aloft Tulsa. Owned by Anish Hotels Group and managed by LodgeWorks, L.P., this brand-new destination sensation features Starwood Continues Expansion in India of Mid-Market Four Points by Sheraton Hotels with Signing of Non-Exclusive Master Agreement with an Affiliate of Duet India Hotels Ltd and JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd.Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the signing of a Non-Exclusive Master Agreement with D.I.H (Cyprus) Limited (an affiliate of Duet India Hotels Ltd.) and JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd. The agreement was sign Aloft Hotels Franchise to Debut in ClevelandStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced plans to debut its Aloft brand in Cleveland, Ohio. Aloft Cleveland Downtown is scheduled to open in early 2013 as a key element of the Flats East Bank development - Cleveland's new The Park Vista – A Doubletree Hotel Franchise – Gatlinburg Celebrates $11 Million Renovation with New Look and New NameDoubletree® Hotels is proud to announce the opening of the The Park Vista – A Doubletree Hotel – Gatlinburg. Prior to becoming a Doubletree, this 300-room, circular landmark hotel which rises high above the Great Smoky Mountains and the po Days Inns Franchise - Canada Help Ease the Stress for Students Moving To University or CollegeWith the new school year fast approaching and preparations under way, students and parents alike have their hands full. To help with the transition and ease stress, Days Inns - Canada locations are once again offering a back-to-school special. W Hotels Worldwide Franchise Brings Style to Wall Street with the Opening of W New York - Downtown Hotel & ResidencesW Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today announced the unveiling of W New York – Downtown and The Residences at W New York – Downtown, bringing a surge of energy to lower Manhattan. Located in New York City's Title Sponsor Wyndham Worldwide Franchise Tees Off The Wyndham Championship with a "Day of Giving"Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), one of the world's largest hospitality companies, is giving back to the community through donations to several children-focused charities, in conjunction with the Wyndham Championship, currently being held at the Sedgefield Choice Hotels Franchise Announces Intention to Offer Senior NotesChoice Hotels International, Inc., (NYSE: CHH) (the "Company") announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $250 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2020. The notes will be unsecured, unsubordinate Wyndham Worldwide Franchise Extends Title Sponsorship through 2012The PGA TOUR, the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced a two-year title sponsorship extension for the Wyndham Championship, through 2012. Hotel Indigo Franchise Expands in New York with New Hotel on Long Island's East EndHotel Indigo, IHG's (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, today announces the opening of Hotel Indigo East End in Riverhead, New York. Conveniently situated near the Hamptons and vineyards of Eastern Long Island, the 100-room conversion Outrigger Enterprises Group Joins Forces With Holiday Inn Franchise in HawaiiOutrigger Enterprises Group, Hawaii's largest locally owned hotel operator, and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced the signing of a license agreement to reb Starwood Hotels Franchise Bets Big on Puerto RicoStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) is gearing up for the November opening of The St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico, the island's first luxury project since 1997. Underscoring the recovery in luxury hospitality, the $172 million res Three Stays at Aloft or Element Hotels Earn Travelers a Free NightJust three stays at Aloft and Element hotels worldwide will earn guests a free night through a promotion launching today. Microtel Hotels Franchise Celebrate Highest in Guest Satisfaction Ranking with ConsumersThe Microtel Inns & Suites® hotel brand is surprising and delighting guests with chances to win one of 135 prizes in celebration of its unprecedented ninth consecutive year ranking as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction among Economy/Budget Hotel Chain Microtel Hotels Franchise Celebrate Highest in Guest Satisfaction Ranking with ConsumersThe Microtel Inns & Suites® hotel brand is surprising and delighting guests with chances to win one of 135 prizes in celebration of its unprecedented ninth consecutive year ranking as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction among Economy/Budget Hotel Chain Holiday Inn Express Franchise Opens to Serve Growing Northwest HoustonIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms announces the opening of a new 87-room Holiday Inn Express in Houston, Texas. The Holiday Inn Express-Houston NW Beltway 8 - West Road off Westin Continues Global Expansion with New Resorts Opening in Greece and Thailand This SummerContinuing its global growth trajectory, Westin Hotels & Resorts is set to open two new breathtaking resorts in premium locations this summer. The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino recently made its debut on Greece's scenic west coast and will be followed Aloft Franchise Makes Landmark Debut in IndiaStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE: HOT) introduces style at a steal by announcing the opening of Aloft Chennai OMR-IT Expressway, the first Aloft hotel to open in India and the 42nd Aloft hotel globally. A second Aloft hotel is schedu Topping Off the Pittsburgh Cambria Suites Hotel FranchiseHorizon Properties Group, LLC, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Horizon Hospitality, LLC and Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) celebrated the "topping off" milestone of the new Cambria Suites Pittsburgh hotel last week. The 142-suite hotel is located Osaka's First InterContinental Hotel Franchise to open in 2013InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Osaka Station North Yard Development Project today reached an agreement for IHG to open a luxury hotel and high-end residences within the Osaka Station North Yard Development Project in Osaka city under the InterCon Wyndham Worldwide Reports Second Quarter 2010 Earnings Results Exceed Expectations Increases Full-Year Guidance Board Increases Share Repurchase Authorization By $300 MillionWyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN) today announced results for the three months ended June 30, 2010. Key West Inn Hotel Franchise Chain Adds Two LocationsThe coastal themed hotel chain, Key West Inns has added two Southeastern locations bringing the brand total to 23. The new hotels are located in Scottsboro, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. Both hotels are conversions from other brands. Scottsboro was prev Wyndham Worldwide Franchise Partners With Samsung To Bring Hdtv Experience To PropertiesWyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN), one of the world's largest hospitality companies, is pleased to announce its partnership with Samsung®, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, as the sole endorsed television brand for Wyndha Wyndham Worldwide Franchise Completes $350 Million Term SecuritizationWyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced that it has completed a term securitization transaction involving the issuance of $350 million of investment-grade asset-backed notes. Sierra Timeshare 2010-2 Receivables Funding LLC issued $286 mi InterContinental Hotels Group Franchise Anounces 330,000 Reasons to Say 'Thank You'IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel company, is leading a week of celebrations to say 'thanks' to the teams across their 4,400 hotels, offices and reservation centres around the world. Starwood Hotels Franchise Set to Grow NYC Portfolio by 50%Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced that it will grow its New York City portfolio by 50% this year and open more hotels in New York in 2010 than any other city in the world. Today, Starwood operates 12 hotels in the Big Apple across si IHG Becomes First Global Hotel Franchise Company to Reward Loyalty Points for Geolocation Check-InsIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms today announced that Priority Club® members who become Topguest members will now be awarded loyalty points with each geolocation check-in at any one of its more tha Hyatt Place(R) Franchise North Charleston Celebrates Grand OpeningHyatt Hotels & Resorts and Naman Hotels today announced the opening of Hyatt Place North Charleston, the fourth Hyatt Place hotel in South Carolina and second in North Charleston. Red Lion Hotels Franchise to Report Second Quarter 2010 Results on Wednesday, August 4, 2010Red Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that it will report second quarter 2010 results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Red Lion Hotels Franchise Expands Board of Directors; Appoints Melvin L. Keating to BoardRed Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that its Board of Directors voted to expand its membership from seven to eight directors and appointed Melvin L. Keating, age 63, to fill the new director position. In accordance with the company's b New Wyndham Hotel Franchise Opens in New OrleansWyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN), today announced its continued expansion in Louisiana with the opening of the 170-room Wyndham Garden® Hotel Baronne Plaza New Orleans. UPDATE: Choice Hotels Franchise to Report 2nd Quarter 2010 Earnings on July 27, 2010; Conference Call to Be Held on July 28, 2010Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today announced that it will report second quarter 2010 results after market close on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. The company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter earnings at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Red Lion Hotels Franchise Expands Board of Directors; Appoints Melvin L. Keating to BoardRed Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that its Board of Directors voted to expand its membership from seven to eight directors and appointed Melvin L. Keating, age 63, to fill the new director position. In accordance with the company's b For Travelers to Gulf of Mexico Region, Starwood Franchise Launches Summer Offers Including up to Half off Second Night and Beach GuaranteeA pair of offers from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) is making the Gulf of Mexico's natural beauty and historic sites more accessible for leisure and business travelers this summer. IHG Franchise Launches Priority Club Rewards App for AndroidIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [Lon: IHG; NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced the launch of the second phase of its mobile app strategy with the global launch of its Priority Club(R) Rewards app for Le Méridien Franchise Announces Contemporary Chinese Artists Yan Lei and Chen Wenbo as New Members to its LM100(TM) Creative CommunityLe Méridien today announced Chinese artists Yan Lei and Chen Wenbo as the latest LM100(TM) members, selected by Jérôme Sans, Le Méridien's Global Cultural Curator. As part of LM100, Yan Lei will provide artwork for a new key car La Quinta Inns & Suites Franchise Opens In Danbury, ConnecticutIt's a bright day for travelers looking for a hotel that offers value, comfort and convenience in the heart of Danbury, CT. Diamond Properties and Meyer Jabara Hotelsannounces the opening of the La Quinta Inn & Suites at 116 Newtown Road with easy acc Motel 6 Franchise Becomes Nation's First LEED(R) Certified Economy Lodging PropertyMotel 6, known for providing guests with a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain, has proven that green lodging does not have to be expensive lodging. The brand's newest property in Northlake, Texas, is the first economy hotel Motel 6 Franchise Becomes Nation's First Leed(R) Certified Economy Lodging PropertyMotel 6, known for providing guests with a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain, has proven that green lodging does not have to be expensive lodging. The brand's newest property in Northlake, Texas, is the first economy hotel Hotel Indigo Franchise and Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Natasha Bedingfield Launch the "Locals Know Best" ContestHotel Indigo® and Grammy® nominated singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield invite locals to enter the Hotel Indigo "Locals Know Best" Contest to uncover the best of America's neighborhoods. The campaign looks to highlight and celebrate the brand's Wyndham Rewards Program Giving Away Millions of Points this SummerMore stays equal more chances to win in the latest Wyndham Rewards sweepstakes, which is offering travelers in China the opportunity to win one of more than 80 prizes this summer, including multiple free night stays in the form of Wyndham Rewards points a Embassy Suites Hotels Franchise Brings Breakfast in Bed Back in StyleEmbassy Suites Hotels, the upscale, all suites hotel brand that treats every guest to a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, reminds consumers why serving breakfast in bed for a loved one is so universally delightful with the launch of it Whitbread launches green refurbishment driveWhitbread PLC, the UK's largest hotel and restaurant group, has today announced that as part of this year's capital investment programme it will be spending over £7m in a major sustainability programme to boost the environmental performance of its h |
Features & Special ReportsFranchising With Family Members Can Be Fraught With Danger Or Filled With SuccessIt can be difficult enough to get a franchise up and running on your own, or with other operational and investing partners, but it can be downright arduous if family members are involved in the deal. But that's the route some franchisees take and when done properly this management model can provide years of personal and professional harmony. But there are some secrets to making it work. Go in unprepared and you could break up a business and a family. The Winner's ColumnAs savvy franchise companies continue to flourish in this challenging economy, FUSR will continue to bring you good news each month, highlighting brands that are adding units, increasing comp store sales, striking deals with investors, and continuing to grow despite the economy - maybe even because of it. And, as the U.S. struggles through its "jobless recovery," growth-oriented franchisors continue to look overseas for expansion opportunities. Sales Intelligence for Superior Performance, Part 2Aggressive growth companies measure the performance of their sales personnel just as they do their advertising. With high recruitment expenses you can't afford mediocre selling performance, which costs dearly in lost franchise deals. A policyholder survey by Prudential Insurance revealed that the greatest influencing factor in the buying process is the sales person. Turning Around Struggling FranchiseesTwo years of tight credit and reduced consumer spending have left many franchisees reeling and put a serious crimp in franchisors' royalty streams. Workout professionals and bankruptcy attorneys experienced in franchising discuss what franchisors can do to help turn around distressed units - without spending scarce funds or getting themselves into legal hot water. New Gift Card Regulations Kicked in August 22ndLast year when President Obama signed the Credit Card Act of 2009 (the Act") into law, the nation's attention largely focused on those provisions of the law that aim to change the way credit card companies do business with consumers. However, since the Act imposes requirements on gift card issuers, it also changed the way many retailers and franchise companies will do business with consumers. Strong Cultures Sell More Franchises!Every franchise organization has a culture, the same way every person has a personality. If your franchise brand is serious about growth and development, ask yourself these two questions: 1) Does our franchise system have a strong, positive culture?; and 2) Is it a culture that promotes selling franchises? Special Operations: Franchising in a Strange LandOpening franchise units in nontraditional locations has been the domain of specialists--but not anymore. With the economy still slumping, lending still tight, and suburban expansion at a standstill, many multi-unit franchisees are exploring the viability of sites such as airports, hotels, colleges, senior centers, highway rest stops, hospitals, and military bases. Rolling with the Punches: Franchisors Continue Adapting to ChangeThe rules and methods for franchise sales are changing daily with the general public's increasing awareness of the economy, deficits, lending, the housing market, and more. As some of us "graybeards" can remember, this isn't the first time the rules have changed--and it won't be the last. Change on the HorizonJust like any business, the franchising business is one that I have seen evolve tremendously over the past 30 years. While many of the cornerstones and crucial elements - product, simplicity, control, and support - remain the same, so much is changing. Hiring Entrepreneurs: A Case Study of Hiring the Spirit of SuccessAs we continue to mine Dave Melton's book, <i>Hire the American Dream,</i> I thought it would be interesting to highlight a case study that demonstrates just how successful smart hiring can be. Here Melton describes his experience hiring an immigrant.
|