How does a Hospitality International hotel move from inquiry to opening?
Hospitality International uses separate conversion and new-construction paths. The 2026 FDD gives an experienced total opening range for each path, but approval still depends on property information, the applicable Application Agreement review, site acceptance through execution of the Franchise Agreement, completion of any Corrective Action Punchlist, required systems and insurance, and written authorization to display the licensed brand.
Timeline sources: 2026 FDD, Item 11, pp. 15–18; Franchise Agreement §§2(b), 4(h), 6(c)–(d), pp. 3, 5 and 8. The FTC’s consumer guide explains the federal 14-calendar-day disclosure rule.
What must an applicant qualify for and disclose?
The 2026 FDD does not state a minimum net worth, liquid-capital amount, credit score, education level, or minimum years of hotel experience. The Franchise Questionnaire nevertheless collects detailed property, ownership, identity, and hotel-management information. Supplying the requested information allows Hospitality International to evaluate the applicant and property; it does not guarantee approval.
- Property profile: address, room count, current average daily rate, website, property-management system, parking, facilities, construction type, room mix, and safety features.
- Ownership profile: legal entity, EIN or taxpayer identification, owners, ownership percentages, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, contact details, citizenship response, and hotel-management experience.
- Management structure: a Designated Representative and an on-premises supervisor; the individual owner need not personally operate the hotel.
- Personal guaranties: each owner holding at least 5% of an entity franchisee must execute the Guaranty of Franchisee’s Undertakings.
- Training attendance: the individual franchisee or entity’s principal owner must attend and successfully complete initial training after the hotel becomes operational.
- Good-character supervision: the franchisee must take reasonable steps to select an on-premises supervisor of good character; that supervisor must complete training within one year of hiring.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 15, p. 22; Franchise Questionnaire, Exhibit C; Franchise Agreement §§1(h) and 7(n), pp. 1 and 12; Guaranty, Exhibit E.
What are the actual steps from inquiry through authorization?
Select the brand and property path
Action: Identify the proposed brand, exact hotel address, room count, and whether the project is a conversion or new construction.
Actor: Applicant.
Blocker: The franchise is location-specific; additional hotels require separate franchises.
Submit property and ownership information
Action: Complete the Franchise Questionnaire and requested application materials.
Actor: Applicant.
Next dependency: Hospitality International must agree to consider the project before the sale can progress.
Receive and review the current FDD
Action: Review all 23 Items, the Franchise Agreement, Application Agreement, Guaranty, state addenda, and other exhibits.
Timing: At least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or paying the franchisor or an affiliate.
Execute the Application Agreement and undergo review
Action: Apply for conversion or new construction and provide the hotel information requested.
Actor: Hospitality International reviews and approves or disapproves.
Timing: “Reasonable” review period; no fixed approval deadline.
Complete the format-specific property review
Conversion: After tentative approval, an Assurance Marketing representative is scheduled to inspect within 30 days and may issue a Corrective Action Punchlist.
New build: The application and proposed Franchise Agreement are reviewed; no equivalent pre-sign inspection deadline is disclosed.
Sign the Franchise Agreement and related documents
Action: Execute the location-specific Franchise Agreement, guaranties for 5%+ owners, and ACH authorization; pay the non-refundable initial franchise fee.
Blocker: Hospitality International will not sign if it does not approve the site.
Build, renovate, correct, and equip
Action: Complete required work, Punchlist items, approved “great” sign, computer, compliant PMS, SynXis setup, permits, licenses, and contractor insurance.
Timing: New construction must commence by the earlier of the Operational Date or six months after signing, subject to listed force-majeure events.
Give notice, bind insurance, and obtain written authorization
Action: Give at least 30 days’ notice before anticipated operations; place required hotel insurance at least 30 days before the earlier Operational Date or first public brand identification.
Blocker: Licensed Marks must remain covered until written authorization confirms deficiencies are corrected.
Which disclosed periods can control or delay opening?
All bars use calendar days; each label states its own contractual or regulatory trigger.
Interpretation: the 45–180 day conversion estimate is an experienced total range, while the other bars are separate review periods, notice periods, or deadlines and must not be added into a single total. Sources: 2026 FDD cover and Item 11, pp. 15–18; Application Agreement §3; Franchise Agreement §§2(b), 4(f), 6(c), pp. 3, 5 and 8.
How do conversion, new construction, and acquisition differ?
| Path | Approval and property review | Opening or transfer trigger | Key unresolved dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing-hotel conversion | Tentative approval, then inspection scheduled within 30 days; deficiencies receive a Punchlist and correction timetable. | Open within 60 days of signing or prior-brand release, subject to Punchlist completion. | Scope of upgrades, sign delivery, prior-brand release, and written authorization. |
| New construction | Application and proposed Franchise Agreement reviewed; site accepted when Hospitality International signs. | Open within 60 days after Certificate of Occupancy; current experience is one year or longer. | Financing, zoning, environmental and building approvals, utilities, construction, and occupancy certificate. |
| Existing franchise acquisition | Prior written consent, transferee information and qualifications, inspection, Punchlist, and current-standard work. | Seller gives at least 120 days’ transfer notice; assignment or a current Franchise Agreement may be required. | Franchisor consent, non-refundable transfer fee, seller compliance, release, and renovation obligations. |
Sources: 2026 FDD, Items 11, 12 and 17, pp. 18–19 and 25; Application Agreement §§3–4; Franchise Agreement §§6 and 10(b), pp. 8 and 15; Assignment Agreement, Exhibit K. Hospitality International’s official brand page identifies its five brand families and notes that Scottish Inns is used for conversions and new builds.
Who controls each opening dependency?
Applicant or franchisee
Selects and controls the property; supplies application and ownership information; arranges financing; completes construction, renovation and Punchlist work; obtains permits and licenses; hires contractors and staff; installs the approved sign, computer and PMS; activates SynXis; binds insurance; gives opening notice; and pays required signing amounts.
Hospitality International
Reviews the application, tentatively approves or rejects a conversion, schedules the disclosed conversion inspection, issues the Punchlist timetable, accepts the site by signing the Franchise Agreement, loans the Manual, provides requested source information, schedules training, inspects for authorization, and gives written permission to display the Licensed Marks.
Third parties
Lenders, landlords, contractors, architects, insurers, sign vendors, PMS suppliers, Aven Hospitality, utilities, zoning and building departments, fire or health authorities, and the Certificate of Occupancy issuer can delay completion. Hospitality International does not finance, guarantee a loan or lease, deliver equipment, install the sign, or guarantee government approvals.
The official services and support page describes field support and training, while the 2026 FDD and Franchise Agreement control the contractual allocation. The official reservation-system page identifies the current SynXis platform powered by Aven Hospitality.
What must be complete before the hotel displays the brand?
Written brand authorization is distinct from construction completion, a Certificate of Occupancy, and training. The Franchise Agreement requires all property displaying Licensed Marks to remain covered until Hospitality International gives written notice that identified deficiencies have been corrected and the franchisee is authorized to display the marks.
- Correct every item on the Quality Assurance Evaluation Report within Hospitality International’s stated timetable.
- Obtain written approval before erecting the electric “great” sign; remember that sign erection can trigger the Operational Date and monthly fees.
- Give at least 30 days’ notice before the anticipated start of operations under the Hospitality International System.
- Place required hotel insurance at least 30 days before the earlier Operational Date or first public use of a Licensed Mark, with required additional insureds and certificates.
- Obtain all applicable permits, certificates and licenses; for a new build, confirm the Certificate of Occupancy trigger in the contract file.
- Install internet-capable computer equipment and a compliant PMS before the Operational Date.
- Activate SynXis as the exclusive reservation solution, make room inventory available, and load at least 365 days of rates.
- Confirm the applicable breakfast setup for Red Carpet Inn and Master Hosts formats: an on-premises breakfast restaurant or free continental breakfast, subject to the disclosed guest exception.
What should the buyer verify before signing or scheduling opening?
- Which brand and exact Licensed Marks will appear in Schedule A, and which affiliate must be an additional insured?
- Does the Application Fee apply to the selected format, and is it due with the Application Agreement or at Franchise Agreement signing?
- What exact event starts the conversion’s 60-day clock: agreement execution, prior-brand release, or a documented later release date?
- What Punchlist items, completion dates, inspection evidence, photographs, certificates, and written sign-offs are required for Authorization Date?
- Has the franchisor accepted the exact location, room count, and brand by executing the completed Franchise Agreement?
- Will erection of the “great” sign or written authorization start monthly fees before guest-facing opening?
- Are state-specific addenda, franchise-registration status, landlord terms, permits, insurance endorsements, financing conditions, and Certificate of Occupancy requirements resolved by the appropriate professionals and authorities?
- For an acquisition, has the seller delivered 120 days’ notice and satisfied all transfer, release, remodel, fee, and Punchlist conditions?
The official development inquiry page identifies Hospitality International’s current franchise-development contacts. Use written responses and the completed contract package to resolve project-specific questions; marketing pages do not replace the 2026 FDD or signed agreements.
Verified opening path: submit property and ownership information, complete the federal FDD review period, pass the applicable Application Agreement review, obtain site acceptance through a signed Franchise Agreement, complete construction or conversion work and the Punchlist, install required systems and insurance, give opening notice, and obtain written brand authorization.
Timing conclusion: the disclosed totals are official experience estimates—45–180 days for a conversion and one year or longer for new construction—not guarantees. The main applicant-controlled dependency is completing property work and compliance documents; the main franchisor or third-party dependency is inspection/authorization plus government, lender and construction approvals. The key deadline is the format-specific 60-day opening requirement, and the fee-trigger inconsistency should be resolved in writing before payment.
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