Mergers & Acquisitions

🍪 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers was acquired by Rhône, a global private equity firm, from Thompson Street Capital Partners. The fast-casual brand operates over 550 locations across the U.S. and Canada, generating over $1 billion in system-wide sales last year. The executive team, led by President & CEO Chris Dull, remains unchanged. Terms of the acquisition are undisclosed.

🏨 The Dunalastair Hotel Suites in Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, was sold to Loch Rannoch Estate Limited for an undisclosed sum. Originally a drovers’ inn from the 1700s, it was redeveloped during the Victorian era and now features 32 suites. The sale was managed by Graham and Sibbald for administrators Julie Tait and Stuart Preston. Located near Loch Rannoch, the hotel complements Loch Rannoch Hotel’s spa and dining options.

🏨 August 19, 2025, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the sale of the 126-key Hyatt Place Albuquerque/Uptown to Sun Capital Hotels. This acquisition marks Sun Capital's seventh property in Albuquerque and twelfth overall. The hotel, located in the Uptown district, offers proximity to ABQ Uptown and Coronado Center's 1.4 million square feet of retail space and amenities such as 1,127 square feet of meeting space, a business center, outdoor pool, and dining options.

🏨 PPHE Hotel Group acquired a development site near the City of London for £17.5m. The site, near Tower Bridge, will host a Radisson Red lifestyle hotel with 182 rooms, a restaurant, bar, gym, and 41,000 sq ft of office space. Opening in 2029, the total investment is about £90m, aiming for a high single-digit yield. The project seeks BREEAM “Excellent” accreditation and is PPHE’s European Hospitality Fund’s second acquisition. Their portfolio is valued at £2.2bn.

🗺 ATG Travel Worldwide has acquired CWT’s business travel operations in Germany, enhancing its European market presence. The acquisition results in the formation of ATG Business Travel Management, GmbH. This entity will function independently in Germany, focusing on local leadership and operations. ATG, active in over 150 countries, aims to leverage local expertise for growth. This strategic move supports ATG's long-term international expansion and strengthens its foothold in Germany's business travel sector.

📍 Providence Hotels has acquired leases for four Mercure hotels in Exeter, Daventry Court, Blackburn Dunkenhalgh, and Haydock, UK, through a franchise agreement with Accor. This acquisition supports Providence's growth strategy focused on performance and guest experience. Joe Bester, CEO of Providence Hotels, emphasized the importance of maintaining each hotel's unique identity while enhancing performance. The company is known for managing leased hotel properties across the UK, emphasizing strategic expansion and consistent service.

🏨 Luxury hospitality is seeing a surge in sub-100-key resorts globally, driven by scarcity of unique locations. In the U.S., retreats under 70 keys are being developed as cultural artifacts. Central America is witnessing eco-resorts in zones where repeats are impossible. Africa sees institutional backing for lodges. This shift reflects scarcity as a lucrative investment, with 30-key inns trading at 14x EBITDA, outperforming 300-key towers at 9x. The race to build unique hospitality experiences continues.

🏨 Beaverbrook, a countryside hotel in Surrey Hills, UK, joins the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) collection in 2025. Located an hour from London, this former 19th-century mansion spans 470 acres and offers four venues, four restaurants, and a Coach House Health Club & Spa. Guests gain access to LHW's benefits, including luxury travel advisors and Leaders Club perks. LHW features over 400 luxury hotels globally.

🏠 RedCat Hospitality in Q1: Accommodation sales soared to £9.5m, with a 9.4% like-for-like increase at Coaching Inn Group. Overall sales rose by 6.7% to £32.7m, despite challenges. Capital investments, including a £3m refurbishment of the Castle of Brecon Hotel in Powys, resulted in a 94% sales boost. Other locations like The Bull in Barton Mills and The Crown Inn in Leicestershire saw a 20.3% sales increase. CEO Richard Lewis highlights strategic growth investments.