Complaint Review: Choice Hotels International

Basically, you should not join Choice Hotels as a Franchisee.  The reason why is they will accept anyone into their franchise and ask you to do minimal renovations (PIP).  After they accept you, they will basically constantly pressure you to renovate your hotel.  Meanwhile they fine you everytime a customer complains. usually about $35 for complaints. If you dont respond in in 72 hours it will be another $175.

Basically, the way it works is, if Choice sends you $100,000 in business, they will bill/fine you about $50,000 to $60,000.  They will also ask for $50,000 in renovations.  Don't resist or you will end up with liquidated damages.

I never owned a hotel before, and with my first hotel they accepted me with a minimal PIP. After I joined, they basically told me everything was fine, I do not need to worry about anything.  Then, suddenly they started doing hardcore inspections using an outside company.  Finally, they told me if I do not improve my online average they will terminate me and sue for liquidated damages.  Its kind of a sudden change in 6 months, dont you think?  Am I supposed to build a new hotel all of a sudden in 2 years?  I never had good reviews, obviously they should have never accepted my hotel to begin with. 

Do you think you can raise your online scores?  If you dont, you get sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars?  A person can control renovations, but you really cant control scores online. 

Anyway, this is the just a heads up for anyone considering being a Choice Hotels Franchisee. And wait till you deal with their corporate office when you have problems.  They are arrogant, unhelpful, and most likely undereducated entitled scumbags.  I would consider Wyndam instead, at least they are upfront.