Source: Choice

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, is bringing back its Your Community, Your Choice. Choice Hotels Local Business Grant Program to recognize and support hotel owners' service efforts. Originally launched in 2019, Choice is doubling its contribution and the number of recipients this year by awarding $5,000 grants to the local charity selections of the 10 winning franchisees, for a total of $50,000 in grants, helping them to make a positive impact in their community.

"Our franchisees and their hotel staff are always serving their communities as well as their guests, and over the past year they have truly exemplified the concept of 'service' beyond the hotel and into the local community — including everything from making masks for healthcare workers to providing rooms and meals to the most vulnerable," said Patrick Pacious, president and CEO, Choice Hotels. "To commend their unwavering commitment to community, especially amid these unprecedented circumstances, we are honoring them again with the 'Your Community, Your Choice.' grant program and doubling the contribution and winners."

As a champion of local businesses since its founding over 80 years ago, Choice Hotels places its franchisees at the center of everything it does — from helping them along the road to economic recovery during the pandemic, to supporting the initiatives that are most important to them and their businesses. Through the Your Community, Your Choice. Choice Hotels' Local Business Grant Program, Choice will help its hotel owners further their longstanding commitment to caring for the communities outside their hotel doors.

The grant program will reward initiatives that benefit the communities Choice-brand hotels serve, ranging from:

  • Supporting those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Rebuilding communities affected by natural disasters.
  • Caring for those less fortunate with food or clothing drives.
  • Mentoring youth or young professionals.
  • Promoting sustainability.
  • Honoring local heroes.
  • Supporting other local businesses or organizations, such as schools and parks.

Choice Hotels' franchisees can apply for the grant beginning today through Sept. 24, 2021 at choicehotelsdevelopment.com/our-business-is-you. Winners will be announced Oct. 21, 2021.

The 'Your Community, Your Choice. Choice Hotels' Local Business Grant Program is one of the many ways Choice serves the communities where its franchisees and their associates work and live, including:

  • Helping those affected by the pandemic, including ongoing efforts with the American Red Cross, Operation Homefront, International Franchise Association, and Serta "Stay Home, Send Beds" Initiative.
  • Reducing its carbon footprint and promoting environmentally friendly practices through its Room to be Green program.
  • Partnering with Clean the World to recycle discarded soap and shampoo from hotels so that they can be distributed to people in need around the world.

For more information about the Your Community, Your Choice. Choice Hotels' Local Business Grant Program, visit choicehotelsdevelopment.com/our-business-is-you. In addition, to learn more about Choice's efforts to support the communities it serves, view the company's Environmental, Social and Governance Report.

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.