Choice Hotels International / CHH

About Choice Hotels International

10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Md. 20901
www.choicehotels.com | 301-592-5000 | Founded: 1968

Industry: Hospitality And Travel | Category: Public Companies

Choice experienced steady growth in 2005, reflecting an improving hotel market and strong economy. It had 639 new franchise contracts, up 16 percent from the year before, and its pipeline of hotels under construction grew 21 percent, to 687 properties.
The company placed new emphasis on extended-stay hotels: In September, it bought Suburban Extended Stay Hotels, which had 67 properties, for $10.5 million. It also said it is expanding its staffing so that it can better help the franchisees of extended-stay properties to be profitable.
Last year, the company also launched what's known in the hotel industry as a "lower-upscale" brand, Cambria Suites, that will be a step above its other properties in amenities and pricing. The new hotels, with rooms going for about $100 a night, will have flat-screen TVs; down pillows; and a color scheme of dark browns, taupe and cinnabar.
The company split its stock two-for-one in October. It also extended the contract of its chief executive, Charles A. Ledsinger Jr., until 2009.

Chairman: Stewart Bainum Jr.

President and CEO: Stephen P. Joyce

2005 Financial Data

Revenues: $477,399,000 | Net Income: $87,565,000
Asssets: $265,100,000 | Earnings Per Share: $1.32
Stockholder Equity: $-167,176,000 | Annual Dividend: $0.49
Total employees: 1,605 | Local employees: 355