World’s largest hotel franchising company highlights efforts to elevate brands, serve owners, drive global growth and innovate for guests as part of its mission to make hotel travel possible for all
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 25, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) – the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries – outlined plans to advance its position as the world’s leading provider of select-service hotel brands before thousands of its franchisees at its first global conference as an independent hotel company.
With a focus on enhancing returns for its nearly 6,000 franchisees, the Company unveiled several initiatives designed to elevate its brands, deliver incremental resources to its owners, grow its presence and meet the needs of today’s travelers.
“As the world’s largest hotel franchisor, our commitment to making hotel travel possible for all starts with our franchisees,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Together, we are elevating our family of iconic brands through innovation in quality and design, operational efficiency, strategic growth and guest experience to shape not only the future of Wyndham but the legacy of our owners around the world.”
Elevating Economy
Wyndham continues to democratize travel by elevating the economy segment with distinct, meaningful experiences for guests – at an affordable price point – for some of its most iconic brands. On the heels of recent brand-wide redesign efforts for Super 8® by Wyndham and Howard Johnson® by Wyndham, the company unveiled a new look for Days Inn® by Wyndham.
Dawn of a New Days Inn: With its 50th anniversary approaching in 2020, Days Inn – one of the largest brands in the economy segment – unveiled a new interior design package for its 1,400 hotels in the U.S. The new design, aptly named Dawn, takes inspiration from the sun with bright and airy rooms and sun-centric art celebrating the brand’s roots with a modern flair. The brand expects to implement the design standard across its U.S. portfolio in several phases.
Revolutionizing Design and Construction
The Company is prioritizing new-construction growth with the launch of both new and refreshed prototypes designed to lower development costs and capture greater efficiencies, taking a page from the best practices of La Quinta® by Wyndham and the success of the recent Moda prototype launch from Microtel by Wyndham®.
Growing Garden: The Company announced plans to reposition its Wyndham Garden® brand for growth with a new interior and exterior prototype called Arbor, which offers a streamlined, modern aesthetic inspired by nature that is designed to reduce cost-per-key to build.
Dual-Branding La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites® by Wyndham: Wyndham is introducing a new prototype combining its extended-stay Hawthorn Suites brand with La Quinta, designed to streamline development and operational costs while appealing to multiple types of travelers. The dual-brand prototype leverages the newly refreshed room of La Quinta’s Del Sol prototype, which continues to draw developers, with seven new-construction agreements signed in the second quarter.
Reimagining AmericInn® by Wyndham: The Company also debuted a refreshed interior design for AmericInn inspired by the modern lodge look, updating the brand’s contemporary exterior prototype while celebrating its heritage. Together, the interior and exterior designs represent the brand’s fourth-generation prototype.
Driving Global Growth
As international tourism continues to grow, Wyndham is positioning its well-known brands to capitalize on the rising demand for trusted lodging options for all travelers, particularly everyday travelers and the growing global middle class.
New Brands in New Markets: Five Wyndham brands have opened in new markets this year, including Days Inn in New Zealand; Microtel in China; Ramada® by Wyndham in Armenia; Wyndham® in Malaysia; and Wyndham Garden in Argentina, Australia and the Philippines. The Company also signed agreements to introduce Dolce Hotels and Resorts® by Wyndham in Denmark and Vietnam this year, and La Quinta in the Dominican Republic in 2021.
Making its Mark: Since launching just over two years ago as the first soft brand geared toward midscale and upper-midscale hotels, Trademark Collection® by Wyndham continues its rapid growth around the world, adding six new hotels in Canada and its first hotel in Latin America, in Belize, to its more than 100 hotels in North America and Europe.
Growth in Asia: Wyndham is the largest international franchisor in Greater China and recently announced plans to open approximately 500 hotels in China over the next three years, bringing its total to more than 2,000 hotels there by the end of 2022. The Company is also growing rapidly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim, its fastest-growing region, and plans to open three new hotels in Thailand later this year. Additionally, Wyndham added three Ramada hotels in South Korea this year, surpassing 40 hotels in the country.
Digital Technology Evolution
Following its strategic initiative to endorse all of its brands with the “by Wyndham” moniker – one of the largest name changes in the industry’s history – and the evolution of Wyndham Rewards, which brought about innovative, first-to-market partnerships such as DoorDash, Wyndham is leveraging new technology to expand its digital efforts to drive brand recognition and contribution and enhance the guest experience across its portfolio.
Wyndham Wi-Fi: Addressing the ongoing challenge of providing great guest Wi-Fi, Wyndham franchisees now have access to a new bundle of wireless and network services featuring high-quality hardware and equipment at lower costs called Wyndham Wi-Fi. Hoteliers will have access to best-in-class wireless and network equipment, a professional home page, superior Wi-Fi services with consistent signals capable of handling guests’ multi-screen needs, and one-stop shopping for support.
Mobile First: To meet guests where they are – literally, in the palm of their hands – the Company will launch a new mobile app in the spring of 2020 offering streamlined bookings, account management, gamification, and exciting on-property features enabling guests to make the most of their stays. This intuitive, anticipatory app also will provide Wyndham Rewards members with personalized moments woven throughout their journey.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Baymont®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. If you are interested in development opportunities, please visit development.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 30, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels globally, has continued to expand its hotel network across the Asia Pacific Region with a series of important openings, brand launches and new market entries.
With an Asia Pacific system of more than 173,000 rooms and 86 openings this year, Wyndham is bringing world-class hospitality and innovative new brands to the area while driving net rooms growth in a key region of the world. All of the brands in the Company’s portfolio, from Ramada to Days Inn to Super 8, are now endorsed by the powerful “by Wyndham” suffix – a significant step forward in Wyndham Hotels’ global branding strategy.
Greater China
In Greater China, Wyndham Hotels is the largest international franchisor, with more than 1,500 properties and 149,000 rooms in its franchised system. Based on current trends, Wyndham expects to open about 500 hotels in China over the next three years.
Leo Liu, president of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Greater China, said: “We have sustained our strong growth momentum and delivered robust hotel opening and net rooms growth figures in China. Working closely with owners and developers in the region, we are striving to further expand our presence across Greater China, especially in Hong Kong and in the northern and southwestern parts of China, where there is rapid growth and strong potential for further expansion of our footprint.”
Wyndham has been delivering significant progress against its growth objectives in China this year. In January, the 432-room Ramada® by Wyndham Hong Kong Harbour View opened, marking Ramada’s official return to the Hong Kong market. This was followed in May by the opening of the Ramada by Wyndham Hong Kong Grand View, with 317 rooms and a signature rooftop swimming pool. And, after reacquiring exclusive direct franchising rights for the Days Inn® brand in China in 2018, Wyndham has opened seven new Days Inn by Wyndham properties this year, from Chongqing to Guangzhou to Changsha.
Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim (SEAPR)
Wyndham is also growing rapidly in the Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim (SEAPR) region, which expanded by 22% year-over-year through the second quarter and includes more than 24,000 rooms.
“This is a hugely exciting region, where dynamic economies, rising affluence and strong intra-regional travel is creating exceptional conditions for growth. These trends give Wyndham plenty of scope for expansion, both in established and emerging markets,” said Joon Aun Ooi, president and managing director of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, SEAPR. “We look forward to building strong partnerships with owners and developers across the region and introducing even more guests to our collection of innovative brands.”
So far this year, Wyndham Hotels has announced several notable market entries and expansions in the Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim region:
In January, Wyndham introduced the Days Inn brand to New Zealand with the opening of a new landmark hotel, Days Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Hamilton. The addition bolsters Wyndham’s presence in New Zealand and in Hamilton, the region’s fourth-most-populous city and a key growth market.
Also in January, Wyndham introduced the Wyndham Grand® brand in Myanmar with the announcement of the opening of Wyndham Grand Yangon. Rising from the shores of Kandawgyi Lake, Wyndham Grand Yangon is a new landmark in the heart of Myanmar’s commercial capital, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, along with an exquisite blend of grand facilities and authentic local touches.
In June, Wyndham opened the 222-room Ramada by Wyndham Daejeon, its 41st hotel in South Korea. This follows the March openings of the 592-room Ramada Encore by Wyndham Gimpo Han River and the 467-room Ramada Encore by Wyndham Jeongseon Sabuk.
All Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ properties in Asia Pacific participate in Wyndham Rewards, the Company’s award-winning loyalty program, giving more than 77 million members globally a generous points-earning and redemption structure. This year the program became even more rewarding, with a wide array of convenient new features – from free nights at thousands of hotels starting at just 7,500 points (half their original redemption cost), to the addition of more than 900 La Quinta® hotels, to the ability to earn and redeem points with a host of new and expanded partners.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at tens of thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 30, 2019) – Wyndham Rewards®—the world’s most generous rewards program spanning more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals—returns to Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. today, welcoming tens of thousands of spectators to a travel-themed week of fun and sun as title sponsor of the 80th annual Wyndham Championship.
Widely recognized as one of the PGA TOUR’s most fan-friendly tournaments, this year’s Wyndham Championship—which kicks-off today and runs through Aug. 4, 2019—invites fans to escape the everyday and join Wyndham Rewards and its portfolio of global brands for a “trip around the world,” all while helping give back to local charities throughout the Piedmont Triad. The final stop of the regular season, this year’s tournament brings an added layer of drama to Sedgefield as many of the world’s best golfers look to earn their spot in the Wyndham Rewards Top 10, a new $10 million bonus to be split among the PGA TOUR’s top 10 regular-season finishers.
“From new ways to earn and redeem points to the addition of more than 900 La Quinta by Wyndham hotels, we’ve spent the last year working to make Wyndham Rewards more rewarding for members than ever before,” said Eliot Hamlisch, leader of Wyndham Rewards. “It’s a fitting parallel to the Wyndham Championship. From a host of new fan-centric experiences to the added excitement surrounding the first-ever Wyndham Rewards Top 10, this year’s tournament promises to be fans’ most rewarding yet.”
Travel the World with Wyndham Rewards Take a bite of the Big Apple. Feel the white sands of Clearwater Beach. Revel in the awe-inspiring views of the Andaman Sea in Phuket. More than just championship golf, the Wyndham Championship is an escape from the everyday, and this year, fans and their families can see the world as they tour the course and experience 10 amazing Wyndham Rewards destinations from around the globe.
The first 100 fans to visit all 10 destinations each day, collecting commemorative pins along the way, will unlock unforgettable rewards, including passes to the Club Wyndham Beach viewing platform, Wyndham Rewards points, ticket upgrades and unlimited pedicab rides. Fans can win even more prizes when they share their photos from each destination on their favorite social platforms tagging @WyndhamRewards and @WyndhamChamp using #WyndhamRewardsTop10.
Other fan-favorite experiences will include, among others, live action sand sculpture, photo ops with the #6 Wyndham Rewards NASCAR Ford Fusion, Margaritaville at the Wyndham and “Key to Wyn,” where one swipe of a key card could unlock the door to any of thousands of prizes, from flat-screen TVs and appliances, to free nights at Wyndham Rewards destinations around the globe.
Wyndham Rewards Top 10
Introduced for the first time this season alongside a simplified, strokes-based scoring system for regular season play, the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 offers $10 million to be split among the top-10 finishers in the final regular season FedExCup point standings. While the first through third positions were decided last week in Memphis with Brooks Koepka taking the $2 Million top prize, nine golfers enter the Wyndham Championship with a chance to either move up or into the Wyndham Rewards Top 10. Paul Casey enters the Wyndham Championship in eighth place in the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 and could move to fourth with a Wyndham Championship win increasing his season-ending bonus from $600,000 to $1.1 Million. The other eight golfers would move into the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 with a Wyndham Championship victory.
Added Hamlisch, “The introduction of the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 made for a thrilling regular season, all of which culminates here at Sedgefield at the Wyndham Championship. We congratulate Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and Matt Kuchar for taking the top-three spots last weekend and look forward to watching the rest of the story unfold this week at the Wyndham Championship.”
Wyndham Championship Fore! Good
Creating positive impact in the community has always been a central focus of the Wyndham Championship, and Wyndham Championship Fore! Good—the tournament’s signature philanthropic platform—helps give back to those in the Piedmont Triad.
This year, Wyndham will host a raffle at the pro-am pairings event featuring exciting items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with net proceeds benefiting a host of local and regional Wyndham Championship Fore! Good charitable partners, including Birdies Fore Backpacks, The First Tee of the Triad, The Paul Tesori Foundation and The American Junior Golf Association, among others. Items include a total of 12 vacation packages to exciting destinations like Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort in Hawaii, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Fla. and Dolce Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif. as well as exciting experiences with Caesars Entertainment and Roush Fenway Racing.
Other philanthropic efforts associated with the tournament include:
Youth and Education– Through “Birdies Fore Backpacks,” Wyndham Rewards works with local organizations—Backpack Beginnings, Forsyth Backpacks, Out of the Garden Project and United Way of Greater High Point—to help feed children from low income families around the Piedmont Triad. Backpacks are packed with nutritionally sound meals, which families take home every weekend. Since its creation in 2014, the program has provided more than 510,000 meals to thousands of local families.
Community Development– One of the Wyndham Championship’s most-popular fan amenities is “Key to Wyn,” created by Wyndham Rewards to illustrate the Wyndham hospitality experience at its PGA TOUR event. “Key to Wyn” offers tournament fans an opportunity to win fabulous prizes courtesy of title partner Wyndham Rewards. Following the tournament, suitable elements of the structure will be repurposed and donated to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro to contribute to a new Habitat home. In addition, Wyndham’s Executive Women’s Day returns to the tournament this year as does free admission for those who serve, including those in the armed forces, teachers and first responders.
Environmental Sustainability– Highlighting its commitment to preserving our natural resources, Wyndham Rewards is proud to partner with the Sedgefield Country Club, the home of the Wyndham Championship. Under the management of McConnell Golf, the historic course has taken significant steps in recent years to save energy and improve its sustainability efforts, including upgraded, energy efficient lighting and new, water efficient fixtures. In addition, Sedgefield Country Club is applying for the Audubon education and certification program to protect the valuable, natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide while improving efficiencies and minimizing the impact of golf course operations. The Wyndham Championship, in partnership with Unifi, Inc., is also proud to commit to aggressive recycling standards.
Wyndham Rewards is an award-winning rewards program linking the global portfolios of two of the world’s leading hospitality companies: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH), the world’s largest hotel franchise company, and Wyndham Destinations (NYSE:WYND), the world’s largest vacation ownership and exchange company. To learn more about the Wyndham Championship, or to book tickets, visit www.wyndhamchampionship.com.
About Wyndham Rewards Recently named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world’s most generous rewards program with more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveler, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide-range of rewards, including free nights at any of approximately 9,200 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through partnership with Wyndham Destinations and others. Wyndham Rewards has over 77 million enrolled members around the globe. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You’ve earned this.®
About the Wyndham Championship Contested annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was founded in 1938 and is the sixth-oldest event on the PGA TOUR excluding the Majors. The tournament thanks title sponsor Wyndham Rewards and presenting sponsor BB&T for their continued support. Additional tournament information is available at www.wyndhamchampionship.com and the tournament’s social media channels, including the Wyndham Championship Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.
We are not aware that any of our hotels have been contacted by the U.S. government to serve as detention facilities. Our number one focus is to serve leisure and business travelers. Hotels are not intended to be detention centers. We are closely monitoring the situation.
Will Host Conference Call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 3, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) announced today that it will report second quarter 2019 results on Thursday, July 25, 2019. Geoff Ballotti, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David Wyshner, Chief Financial Officer, will host a call with investors at 8:30 a.m. ET that morning to discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.
Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by calling 877 876-9174 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2019. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2019 at 800 283-5758.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 812,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 75 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 30, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Highlights include:
Revenues increased 55% compared with first quarter 2018, to $468 million.
Net income was $21 million for the first quarter; adjusted net income was $51 million.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.22 and adjusted diluted EPS were $0.52.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 21% compared with the prior-year quarter, to $111
Global RevPAR increased 7% year-over-year, and 1% in constant currency and excluding our 2018 acquisitions and
U.S. RevPAR increased 13% year-over-year, and 1% excluding our 2018 acquisitions and divestitures.
System-wide rooms grew 12% year-over-year, and 3% excluding our 2018 acquisitions and divestitures.
Company re-affirms its previous full-year 2019
“Our first quarter results were consistent with our expectations and included double-digit growth in adjusted EBITDA despite our decision to incur a higher proportion of our 2019 marketing expenses in the early part of the year,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, chief executive officer. “We remain enthusiastic about our prospects for growth, the synergies we expect from the La Quinta acquisition, and our leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry.”
Revenues were $468 million, compared with $302 million in the first quarter of 2018. Results reflect $169 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, revenues were consistent with last year in constant currency, primarily due to higher license, royalty and other fees, offset by lower cost-reimbursement revenues.
Net income was $21 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to $39 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2018. Prior-year results predate the Company’s spin-off and the acquisition of La Quinta and therefore included substantially lower separation-related, interest and corporate expenses.
Adjusted net income was $51 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with $55 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2018. First quarter earnings comparisons were impacted by the acquisition of La Quinta, higher interest expense, the timing of marketing expenses and the absence of $4 million of net hurricane-related insurance proceeds received during first quarter 2018. The timing-related increase in marketing expenses alone, measured relative to marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues, reduced first quarter 2019 adjusted net income by $12 million or $0.12 per diluted share. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to our non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
First quarter adjusted EBITDA was $111 million, compared with $92 million in the first quarter of 2018. Management estimates that first quarter results reflect approximately $33 million of adjusted EBITDA from La Quinta. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, adjusted EBITDA decreased 13% in constant currency, primarily due to the timing of marketing expenses, which suppressed growth by 16 percentage points, and the absence of the net hurricane-related insurance proceeds received in first quarter 2018, which suppressed growth by 4 percentage points.
Consistent with the Company’s expectations, first quarter adjusted EBITDA represented 18% of the Company’s projected full-year adjusted EBITDA.
As of March 31, 2019, the Company’s hotel system consisted of approximately 9,200 properties and approximately 812,000 rooms, a 12% increase compared with the first quarter of 2018. Room count grew 3% year-over-year, excluding our 2018 acquisitions and divestitures. The Company’s development pipeline consisted of 1,400 hotels and approximately 181,000 rooms, a 23% year-over-year room increase, including over 25,000 La Quinta pipeline rooms and the removal of 2,000 Knights Inn pipeline rooms. The Company also increased its pipeline sequentially by 1% compared to fourth quarter 2018. Approximately 54% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 73% is new construction.
Business Segment Discussion
The following discussion of first quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of our segments.
Hotel Franchising
Revenues increased 33% compared to first quarter 2018, including $61 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta. Excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, revenues increased 4% in constant currency, due to higher license, royalty and other fees. Adjusted EBITDA grew 31% to $113 million, including an estimate of approximately $26 million of adjusted EBITDA from the acquisition of La Quinta. In constant currency and excluding the impact from 2018 acquisitions and divestitures, adjusted EBITDA grew 4%, reflecting the growth in revenues and lower operating expenses, partially offset by the timing of marketing expenses, which reduced adjusted EBITDA by $13 million.
Hotel Management
Revenues increased $98 million compared to the prior-year period, reflecting $108 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta (including $97 million of cost-reimbursement revenues). Excluding the impact from the acquisition of La Quinta, revenues declined $10 million primarily due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was unchanged compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting an estimate of approximately $7 million of adjusted EBITDA from La Quinta and the absence of $4 million of net hurricane-related insurance proceeds received in first quarter 2018.
Other Items
Share Repurchases – The Company repurchased approximately 874,000 shares of its common stock for $44 million in the first quarter.
La Quinta Integration – Earlier this month, the Company completed the last major milestones in its integration of La Quinta, migrating the brand’s more than 900 hotels to Wyndham’s outsourced, cloud-based central reservation and property management systems and adding La Quinta to the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program. The Company now estimates that annual synergies from the La Quinta acquisition will be $64 million to $70 million and that it will reach full run-rate synergies in third quarter 2019.
Outlook
The Company is reaffirming the following outlook for full-year 2019:
Revenues of $2.11 billion to $2.16 billion, an increase of 13% to 16%.
Adjusted net income of $301 million to $313
Adjusted EBITDA of $605 million to $620 million, a year-over-year increase of 19% to 22%.
Rooms growth of 2% to 4%.
Organic RevPAR growth of 1% to 3% in constant
The Company increased its outlook for adjusted diluted EPS by two cents, to $3.07 to $3.19, based on an adjusted share count of 98.2 million, which reflects first quarter share repurchases and excludes future repurchases. The Company is providing an outlook for net income, EBITDA and EPS only on a non-GAAP, adjusted basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of potential adjustments that may arise in the future.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877 876-9174 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on April 30, 2019. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on April 30, 2019 at 800 374-0934.
Presentation of Financial Information
Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company’s ongoing operating performance.
Exclusion of items in the Company’s non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non- GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 812,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award- winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 75 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, the performance of financial and credit markets, the economic environment for the hospitality industry, operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses, the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife, risks related to our spin-off as a newly independent company, risks related to the acquisition and integration of La Quinta, risks related to our ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, and the timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham Hotels’ most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Wyndham Hotels undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
World’s largest hotel franchisor brings to life its far-reaching U.S. scale and diverse iconic brands in new spots spanning broadcast and digital channels
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched a new integrated marketing campaign connecting its considerable portfolio of brands and highlighting its multitude of accessible destinations for every travel occasion.Click to Download
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels globally including almost 6,400 in the U.S. alone, has launched a new integrated marketing campaign connecting its considerable portfolio of eminent brands – like Super 8 by Wyndham, Days Inn by Wyndham, La Quinta by Wyndham, and Wyndham, all of which are linked by the award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program – and highlighting its multitude of accessible destinations for every travel occasion. This is the Company’s first such campaign since it became a pure-play hotel franchising and hotel management company in June 2018.
Its creative application emphasizes the extensive breadth of the Company’s locations and its family of brand flags across the country, informing travelers they’re likely only about ten minutes away from a hotel by Wyndham no matter where their travels take them, making a great stay closer than they may think.
Conceived in partnership with leading global advertising agency DDB and produced by Stink Films, the U.S. campaign visualizes relatable travel scenarios – from visiting a child at college, to traveling for business, and taking the family on memory-making vacations – which everyday travelers experience.
“With price and proximity being key factors for everyday travelers making hotel decisions, Wyndham’s wide-ranging cache of locations – from economy through upper-upscale accommodations – provide trusted accommodations and a warm Wyndham welcome waiting for travelers wherever they need it, no matter their budget or reason for traveling,” said Lisa Checchio, chief marketing officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “This campaign represents our continued steadfast mission to make hotel travel possible for all, bringing attention to the significant value and varied offerings Wyndham brings, including the world’s most generous hotel rewards program in Wyndham Rewards.”
Debuting ahead of the busy summer travel season and running into September 2019, Wyndham’s new campaign can be seen on television, online streaming and digital video, video-on-demand, mobile, streaming and terrestrial radio, social media, and digital channels. Top-performing programming includes live sports, morning news, and primetime viewing on popular networks like Food Network, Travel Channel, HGTV, TBS, Comedy Central, and ESPN.
The Power of Unified Brands
Wyndham embarked on its journey to unite its 20 hotel brands more seamlessly one year ago when it announced plans to designate its signature economy and midscale names, like Travelodge, Baymont, Trademark Collection, and Ramada, with the powerful “by Wyndham” hallmark, driving guest trial and awareness and reinforcing the power of Wyndham Rewards.
Wyndham’s research has shown that nearly 45 percent of consumers “feel better” about an endorsed brand, and almost one-third expect a better quality experience. Wyndham had already seen this effect on several of its existing brands that have carried the “by Wyndham” moniker for years, including Wingate by Wyndham and Microtel by Wyndham – two brands recognized by the industry for exceptional quality. For Wingate, the addition of “by Wyndham” in 2007 significantly increased brand awareness, and Microtel experienced a steady increase in RevPAR performance compared to industry.
The endorsement effort also connected the Company’s diverse franchise owners, comprised of more than 5,900 hoteliers around the world, under a common mission and name.
Checchio continued, “By embracing and presenting the combined power of our brands through efforts like this new integrated campaign, we’re validating our commitment to the owners who faithfully partner with us: we’ll continue leveraging the size, scale, and strength of Wyndham to drive increased awareness, familiarity, and consideration for the Company and our brands, with the objective of bringing more guests through hotel doors.”
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 810,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 75 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at tens of thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Hotel Leader Joins Business Coalition for the Equality Act and Earns Perfect Score as a Best Place to Work for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Equality
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts team members participate in the 2018 Pride March in New York City. Photo credit: Danny Chin - Omega Photo StudiosClick to Download
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (April 4, 2019) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) has been recognized for its culture of inclusion by the Human Rights Campaign on the heels of reinforcing its commitment to workplace fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) team members. Within the same week of joining the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts earned a perfect score of 100 as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
“At Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all of our team members can thrive,” says Mary Falvey, chief administrative officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “That’s why last week we raised the bar in ensuring workplace fairness by joining the Business Coalition for the Equality Act. Our pledge put an exclamation point on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ welcoming culture that reflects the diversity of our team members, guests, owners and communities around the world.”
On March 26, at the Diversity and Inclusion Conference in Philadelphia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts joined the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Equality Act, federal legislation that would provide the same basic protections to LGBTQ people as are provided to other protected groups under federal law.
In joining the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts reinforced its strong history of diverse and inclusive practices, with full leadership support, to its team members, partners and customers. As part of Wyndham Worldwide, the Human Rights Campaign named the Company as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality nine times with a perfect score of 100.
“For more than ten years, Wyndham has been an employer of choice among the LGBTQ community, and one that encourages team members to bring their whole selves to work,” said Patricia Lee, executive vice president of Global Learning and Development and chief social responsibility officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Our recognition as a Best Place to Work shows that we continue to do the right thing in ensuring the environment we’re cultivating is in the spirit of hospitality.”
Recognizing that embracing inclusivity is good business, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts appeals to diverse consumers, cultivating welcoming environments in its hotels, in addition to supporting its team members. An important element of this culture is Pride, an affinity business group dedicated to fostering a culture of acceptance and equality within the Company. With local chapters in several corporate locations, Pride members raise awareness of LGBTQ issues, lead community support activities, and drive a positive impact on business practices and goals.
The 2019 Corporate Equality Index evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. For more information on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 810,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in both the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program offers more than 70 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at tens of thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 3, 2019 – Wyndham Rewards®, the world’s most generous rewards program, today announced the addition of new program benefits for its more than 70 million enrolled members around the globe—including the introduction of special perks designed exclusively for active and retired U.S. and Canadian military members and their spouses—all while officially welcoming more than 900 La Quinta® hotels to the program’s award-winning portfolio.
Starting today, Wyndham Rewards members can begin taking advantage of the following:
A Faster Way to Free Nights – With the introduction of three distinct redemptions tiers, free nights (go freeSM) now start at just 7,500 points per bedroom per night (half their previous redemption cost) at nearly 3,000 hotels while points + cash award nights (go fastSM) now start at just 1,500 points per bedroom per night, plus some cash.
New Places to Stay – Through the addition of the La Quinta brand, Wyndham Rewards members now have more than 900 new hotels where they can earn and redeem Wyndham Rewards points, including hotels in key destinations like Dallas, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle and Toronto, to name just a few.
New Benefits for Military Members – U.S. and Canadian military members (active, reserve, veteran or retired status) and their spouses now receive a complimentary upgrade to Gold level membership along with 1,000 bonus points on their first qualifying night. These benefits are in addition to existing discounts of 12 percent or more off the Best Available Rate at participating Wyndham Rewards hotels. (Note: Wyndham Rewards membership is not required to take advantage of the discount.)
“We’re incredibly excited about what these enhancements mean for our members, as they’re a direct response to what they told us they value most,” said Eliot Hamlisch, senior vice president of worldwide loyalty and partnerships at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “As champions of the everyday traveler, our goal is to deliver a simple, generous program that offers rich, meaningful rewards alongside one of the largest, most diverse redemption portfolios in the world.”
Earn on Everyday Purchases, Redeem for Incredible Rewards
In addition to the above benefits, starting today, members can take advantage of new and expanded partners making it easier than ever to earn and redeem points outside of hotel stays. Whether it’s shopping for a new spring jacket or filling up at the pump, Wyndham Rewards is encouraging members to go for itSM, making the most of everyday purchases, earning and redeeming points toward incredible rewards. Among the many ways members will be able to earn and redeem:
Shopping – Earn up to 10 points per dollar spent when shopping online through WyndhamRewards.com with select retailers, including popular brands like Target®, Apple® and Home Depot®. Plus, redeem points for merchandise, gift cards, air travel, car rentals and more.
Gas – Earn points at Marathon branded gas stations on fuel and select in-store purchases, including 2 points per gallon of gas with MakeItCount™, Marathon’s fuel rewards program. Also save 5 CentsOff® on every gallon, everyday. Plus, redeem points for fuel discount rewards starting at as few as 3,000 points.
Coming in the next few weeks:
Tours and Experiences – Earn up to 10 points per dollar spent when booking tours and experiences online through WyndhamRewards.com with Viator and redeem points for tours and experiences starting at around 1,500 points.
Food Delivery – Earn 250 points with every DoorDash order placed through wyndhamrewards.com. Plus, new DoorDash customers can earn 2,000 bonus points on their first order.
To learn more about the above Wyndham Rewards enhancements, including full details on new ways to earn and redeem, visit www.wyndhamrewards.com. A complete listing of Wyndham Rewards hotels, along with their newly assigned redemption tiers, is available at www.wyndhamrewards.com/locations.
About Wyndham Rewards Recently named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world’s most generous rewards program with more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide. Designed for the everyday traveler, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide-range of rewards, including free nights at any of more than 9,000 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through partnership with Wyndham Destinations (NYSE: WYND) and others. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You’ve earned this.®
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 810,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in both the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program offers more than 70 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at tens of thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Global hospitality leader’s culture of integrity and ethical business practices are the foundation of its commanding presence in the lodging industry
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (February 26, 2019) – With a commitment to acting with integrity and a dedication to making hotel travel possible for all, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) has been recognized as one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. This distinction marks the first global accolade for the Company and builds upon a strong Wyndham history of recognition by Ethisphere, a leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.
“In our first year as a new public company, today’s recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies is continued reaffirmation of the inclusive, values-driven culture instilled in our team members by our former parent, Wyndham Worldwide,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Strong ethics are the foundation of our corporate culture, with integrity being one of our Company’s core values.”
The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes those companies which align principle with action, work tirelessly to make trust part of their corporate DNA, and in doing so, shape future industry standards by introducing tomorrow’s best practices today.
“Companies with effective compliance programs not only make good ethical decisions, but Ethisphere’s research demonstrates that they also outperform their peers,” said Paul Cash, general counsel and chief compliance officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
“Our ethical business practices foster great experiences and brand loyalty for our guests and for Wyndham Rewards members, as well as our Wyndham Hotels & Resorts team members,” added Samantha Vaughan, group vice president, corporate compliance and chief privacy officer.
Maintaining a strong focus on ethical practices is part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ robust social responsibility commitment. Some of the Company’s activities and accomplishments include:
Creating a diverse and inclusive place to work and do business through its values-driven culture of ethics and integrity;
Developing new training programs and awareness initiatives to provide tailored guidance for corporate and hotel property-based team members on acceptable business conduct standards and how to weave compliant and ethical decision making into everyday business;
Working to protect human rights by providing hotel owners and franchisees training and awareness tools to identify human trafficking in partnership with the Polaris Project and ECPAT-USA.
The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient® (EQ) framework which offers a quantitative way to assess a company’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies, rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership and reputation (10%).
About the Ethisphere Institute
The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character and measure and improve culture. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition program and provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA). More information about Ethisphere can be found at: https://ethisphere.com.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 810,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in both the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 61 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
