ROCKVILLE, Md. --Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, has continued to transform the Comfort brand through bold moves and substantial investment. The Comfort brand plans to again open more than one hotel per week in 2018 with a pipeline of nearly 300 properties, 80 percent of which are new construction. From 2013 through 2019, Choice, along with its franchisees, will have invested $2.5 billion in its flagship brand driven by the Move to Modern initiative, a system-wide update to public spaces and guest rooms.

"The Comfort brand has undergone a renaissance," said Anne Smith, vice president, brand management and design, Choice Hotels. "With over 1,800 properties across North America, we're everywhere guests want to travel, whether on leisure or business, and we look forward to bringing the brand to even more major markets in 2018. Our decision to commit to improving the Comfort brand was the right one as the transformation has fortified the brand's position in the upper midscale segment and led to one of the largest pipelines in its history."

Choice plans to bring the Comfort brand to several primary markets in 2018, including Austin, Texas; Asheville, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Denver; Nashville, Tenn.; New York; Oklahoma City; Philadelphia; and San Diego. The recent Comfort hotel openings are located across the country, and include a mix of new construction and conversion projects:

  • Comfort Inn & Suites in Oklahoma City, Okla. - 87 guest rooms
  • Comfort Inn & Suites in Humble, Texas - 61 guest rooms
  • Comfort Inn & Suites in Niagara Falls, N.Y. - 82 guest rooms
  • Comfort Inn in College Park, GA - 127 guest rooms
  • Comfort Inn in Raleigh, N.C. - 128 guest rooms

"The Comfort brand is a proven leader in the upper midscale segment and there is continued runway for growth throughout the country," said Brian Quinn, head of development, new construction brands, Choice Hotels. "Developer interest in the Comfort brand remains strong due to the brand's prototype, value proposition, and strong return on investment."

For more information on Comfort Hotels development opportunities, please visit https://choicehotelsdevelopment.com/comfort/.

About Choice Hotels®

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The challenger in the upscale segment and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice® has over 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice® to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated development and hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.