September 09, 2010
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Your Travel Franchise Mergers & Acquisition News SourceFranchise News Watch brings you the latest in travel franchising mergers & acquisition 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 Mergers & Acquisition NewsIHG Signs Multi-Brand, Multi-Location Hotel Deal with Shimao GroupExtending its leadership position in China, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) signed a deal with Shimao Group, to open six new hotels under three brands in four cities by 2013. Group RCI Signs Whiterocks Resort in Cyprus as First European Affiliate to its Rental and Exchange ProgramGroup RCI, a global leader in leisure real estate and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced that it signed its first European affiliate to its unique Rental and Exchange (R&E) Program – a pioneering produc BHRC.co.uk Welcomes InterContinental Hotels OnboardBHRC has announced a collaboration with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) on the BHRC London Hotel reservation site (http://www.bhrc.co.uk) with immediate effect. IHG hotels are now available for online booking and instant confirmation on BHRC's... Whitbread PLC to acquire 21 Express by Holiday Inn hotels from Mitchells & Butlers plc in exchange for 44 Whitbread Pub RestaurantsWhitbread PLC ("Whitbread") today announces that it has agreed to acquire 21 hotels (1245 rooms), currently operating as Express by Holiday Inn hotels from Mitchells & Butlers plc ("MAB"), in exchange for 44 Whitbread pub restaurants. Wyndham Worldwide Completes Purchase of U.S. Franchise SystemsWyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced it has completed the acquisition of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. and its Microtel Inns & Suites(R) and Hawthorn Suites(R) hotel brands from a subsidiary of Global Hyatt Corporation for a... Rose Hall Resort & Spa Joins Hilton Hotels & ResortsFollowing an extensive $40 million renovation, the Rose Hall Resort & Spa, A Hilton Resort, emerges today as the newest member of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Wyndham Worldwide to Acquire Microtel and Hawthorn Suites BrandsWyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced it will acquire US Franchise Systems Inc. and its Microtel Inns & Suites and Hawthorn Suites hotel brands, together totaling more than 29,000 rooms, from a subsidiary of Global Hyatt Corporatio Red Lion Hotels Completes Denver Hotel AcquisitionRed Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the 478-room Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast for $25.3 million. The hotel has been re-named the Red Lion Hotel Denver Southeast. Red Lion Hotels to Acquire 478-Room Hotel in Denver, ColoradoRed Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the fee simple interest in the 478-room Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast for $25.3 million. Hilton Stockholders Approve Acquisition by Blackstone Investment FundsHilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) ("Hilton") announced that at a special meeting held today, its stockholders approved the merger agreement with investment funds affiliated with The Blackstone Group L.P. "Budgetel" Brand Acquired, Set For Rapid ExpansionOne of the hospitality industry's most familiar brand names in the upper economy segment – Budgetel – has been acquired by an Atlanta-based investor group which is headed by veteran hoteliers Mukesh "Mike" Patel and R.C. Patel. |
Features & Special ReportsFamily Friendly: A case study on family-run franchisingFamily-run franchise operations can offer a blessing, or a curse. An example of the blessing would be the close relationships and high degree of trust that exists in many families. In this case, success generally follows. But an example of the curse of family-run franchises could be the inability to separate business from family. That could be a serious problem after 5:00 and on weekends. Still, many families find the attraction of working together a strong pull and the results can be quite productive. Families like Ed Doherty's are a perfect example.< Mentor-Motivated: Two Key Individuals have Inspired Jerry HeathTwo people have figured prominently in Jerry Heath's career. The first is his father, who helped bankroll him when he started out in franchising. The second is Steve Jackson, the president of Hungry Howie's Pizza, who began mentoring Heath at an impressionable age (12). Stop the Bleeding: What Franchisors can do to Help Struggling FranchiseesTwo years of tight credit and reduced consumer spending not only have left many franchisees reeling, they've also put a serious crimp in their franchisors' royalty streams. We asked workout professionals and bankruptcy attorneys experienced in franchising what franchisors can do to help turn around their distressed franchisees--without spending precious funds or getting themselves into legal hot water. Franchising 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.
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