Innovation

🍦 Wendy's is launching Frosty Fusions next week. In Q1, Wendy's app engagement metrics soared, with a digital sales mix over 20%. The brand introduced gamification to its mobile app, enhancing customer engagement. Wendy's also pilots technology to improve order accuracy with sandwich label printers and smart delivery scales, significantly improving performance in participating restaurants. Upcoming promotions include 100 Days of Summer, Frosty swirls, and a Takis collaboration. CFO Ken Cook emphasizes focus on controllable factors amidst an uncertain economic environment.

📦 STAAH, a hospitality technology provider and part of The Access Group, earned Booking.com's “Seamless Product” badge, ranking #1 globally and joining an elite group of only 16 out of over 600 to receive this honor. This achievement highlights STAAH's innovation and dedication to offering hoteliers smooth connectivity. The recognition reflects a transformative 2024, as STAAH partners with Booking.com's teams in New Zealand, India, and Europe to further their shared mission.

💸 Amid tariff-driven inflation and rising living costs, one-third of Americans have under $100 in monthly expendable funds, with nearly one in five having less than $50. Attest's 2025 US Consumer Spending Trends Report shows 51.5% spend on dining out and 57% on takeout monthly. Only 27% spend over $100 at restaurants and 20% on takeouts. Over 38% feel financially insecure, 29% have disposable incomes below $100, and 42% carry no credit card debt. Tipping has inclined toward 20%, with 60% tipping bartenders, and 45% tipping $5 or more. Hospitality tech, such as AI, seamless payments, and personalization, is crucial for addressing sparse disposable funds.

🏨 Choice Hotels International held its 69th Annual Convention in Las Vegas with keynote by CEO Patrick Pacious. The convention aims to empower hotel owners, offering 100 educational sessions and a trade show. Choice Hotels reports a 44% growth in upscale room count last year, now operating over 7,500 hotels globally. Loyalty membership surpassed 70 million, with a 30% increase in redemptions. The company saw a 6% increase in direct online bookings, with a significant $25 million identified in operational cost savings for owners. The ChoiceROCS program delivered a 100-basis-point premium in RevPAR Index and $81 million in incremental revenue. Group business revenue surged by 45% in Q4 2024, with upscale transient business revenue up 20%. Through partnerships (AAA, AARP, Preferred Hotels & Resorts), the company booked over 1.1 million room nights in 2024 and achieved an average ROI of $50,000 for hotels with an AAA appointment. The company leads in midscale, extended stay with 500 properties, and the Everhome Suites brand is expected to reach 25 hotels by end of 2025. WoodSpring Suites brand maintains over 55% gross operating profits, while upscale room count reached over 110,000 in 2024.

📆 Choice Hotels International, Inc. opened its 69th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, featuring a keynote by CEO Patrick Pacious. The upscale brand portfolio grew its rooms by 44% last year. Loyalty members surpassed 70 million, driving a 30% redemption increase and a 13% longer average stay. Direct bookings grew over 6% year-over-year, with an online upscale booking surge of 14% in Q1 of 2025. Owners saved $25 million in operational costs and 9% on food costs since July 2024. ChoiceROCS generated $81 million in added revenue. Group and transient business revenues jumped 45% and 20%, respectively, in Q4 of 2024. AARP members booked 1.1 million room nights in 2024, and AAA appointments yielded a $50,000 average return. The company plans to enhance franchisee rate management, business travel platforms, AI-powered marketing, and group travel systems over the next two years. Comfort and Country Inn & Suites introduced new prototypes, and the Quality Inn brand marked its 85th anniversary. In the extended stay sector, Choice celebrated the opening of its 500th property in 2024, with over half of economy and midscale extended stay hotels in the pipeline. The upscale room count exceeded 110,000 in 2024, with Choice Privileges offering access to 180,000 upscale rooms.

🏨 At FHT Paris 2025, hospitality experts discussed digital transformation in the industry, emphasizing back-office efficiency and guest experience enhancement. Digital tools streamline inventory and operations, with France set to eliminate paper invoices by September 2026. Real-time apps and sensors improve service quality, while data analytics from tools like Reviewpro’s GRI™ inform customer satisfaction and revenue strategies—a 1-point GRI increase correlates with a 0.89% rise in ADR and 0.54% in occupancy. Sustainability initiatives, like Groupe Madeho's Clé Verte certification, also benefit from digital advancements. The industry is urged to embrace continuous improvement and digital culture.

🏨 Choice Hotels International, Inc. opened its 69th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, with President and CEO Patrick Pacious emphasizing "Powering the Future" for hotel owners. The event hosts thousands and features nearly 100 educational sessions and a trade show. Choice Hotels, with over 7,500 hotels globally, reported a 40% business traveler customer base, a 44% growth in upscale room numbers, and a loyalty membership surpassing 70 million. Direct bookers increased by over 6%, with food costs savings averaging 9% since July 2024. Group business revenue surged 45% in Q4 of 2024, and the company continues to invest in AI, with plans to roll out new capabilities over two years. Extended stay brands like Everhome Suites are expanding, with 25 hotels expected by end of 2025, while WoodSpring Suites maintains over 55% gross operating profits.

🏖 Experian and MMGY developed a marketing measurement strategy for Windstar, utilizing pixel tags, Experian's identity graph, and MMGY's Terminal audience modeling platform. This strategy included integration of MMGY's performance data, Experian's consumer intent data, and Windstar's first-party data, enabling custom audience segmentation. Results: 6,500+ bookings, $20 million in revenue, 13:1 Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) on $1.48M ad spend, $236 cost per booking, and a 28:1 ROAS for Terminal Audiences.

📈 Choice Hotels International, Inc. opened its 69th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, with President and CEO Patrick Pacious keynote speaking. Aimed at "Powering the Future," the event featured nearly 100 educational sessions and a trade show. Business travelers now represent 40% of all stays. The upscale brand portfolio grew by 44% last year, and loyalty membership surpassed 70 million. Direct booking conversions increased by over 6%, and area Directors found over $25 million in operational cost savings. A new food purchasing program saved 9% on costs from July 2024 to March 2025. ChoiceROCS consultancy drove $81 million to properties, and group business revenue jumped 45% in Q4 2024. AARP members booked over 1.1 million room nights at Choice hotels in 2024. Choice leads in midscale and extended stay, with half of all economy and midscale extended stay hotels open and under construction. Everhome Suites projected to have 25 hotels by end of 2025, while upscale rooms reached over 110,000 in 2024.