ROCKVILLE, Md.—Choice Hotels International, Inc.’s emerging markets franchise development program announced this week that it awarded a contract to Fredric Washington to develop six hotels. This new contract with an African American entrepreneur represents the largest minority multi-unit franchise agreement executed in the program’s history.
Washington is managing partner of Southern Accommodations, LLC and previously served as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lead in Florida under Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The agreement includes the six hotels in Florida: a Sleep Inn in St. Augustine;Â a Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, and MainStay Suites in Fort Myers; and a Sleep Inn and MainStay Suites in Ocala.
“It’s historically significant that the first hotel in this multi-unit deal is owned by an African American in St. Augustine, where there have been several prominent acts of racial discrimination in this industry,” said Washington. “This is a welcomed step forward and I appreciate the sincere collaboration with Choice Hotels to help address the racial divide that exists in our country by promoting African American hotel ownership. Choice leads the industry in creating true equity participation, and now I’ve experienced firsthand why—the company is not satisfied with hanging banners and coming up with logos, but they live inclusiveness and diversity every day.”
Choice Hotels’ emerging markets program has awarded and financially supported more than 250 franchise agreements with underrepresented minority and veteran entrepreneurs in the program’s history, including 34 deals last year. This year, the company has yielded 17 contracts so far, including two additional contracts with Washington for a Comfort Suites and MainStay Suites in St. Augustine.
“Choice Hotels has a longstanding, deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to make every associate, franchisee, and guest feel welcome, wanted, and respected—that’s our brand promise,” said Patrick Pacious, president and CEO, Choice Hotels. “As part of that pledge, our emerging markets franchise development team is constantly working to help extend the opportunity of hotel ownership to those who have historically been less represented in the hospitality industry.”
“For nearly 15 years, our emerging markets department has been working to help make small business ownership a reality for underrepresented minority entrepreneurs,” said John Lancaster, regional vice president, emerging markets, franchise development, and owner relationships. “We are extremely proud of our history as the only lodging company with a team dedicated exclusively to growing a diverse franchisee base, and this multi-unit agreement, which is the largest we have ever entered, is a great example of how we are trying to accomplish that.”
