Franchisors Feeling Fine

Hotel Interactive, Inc.:

Usually robust franchise sales are a good sign the lodging business is strong. Theory is that means lenders and lending, developers are of course developing, and demand is in place to support these new products as they come online.

And according to Franchisors attending the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference last week in Atlanta, this seems to be the case. These experts that are in the field making deals day after day are saying the franchise side of the business is still going strong. In fact, many are seeing very brisk sales and all interviewed feel bullish they can at least hit sales numbers seen in 2007.

‘So far this year we have been very busy and we plan to do about 180 deals this year,’ said Mark Williams, VP North American Development with Best Western International. ‘People have been able to get money.’

Williams said the company is seeing more new construction in fact than just a year ago. He said Best Western is doing 75% new construction this year where in 2007 it was 60%. Read more.