Franchising of Hotels: Advantages vs. Disadvantages The objective of this study is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of franchising hotel operations. Toward this end, this study will conduct an extensive review of literature in this area of inquiry as well as interview two individuals, Mr. X, and Mr. Y in order to determine whether there are more advantages or disadvantages.

Mr. X is the General Manager of a well-known hotel in Istanbul Turkey, specifically Radisson Blue Istanblue Asia. The property is owned by a private company 'Ant Yapi' but the hotel is affiliated with brand Radisson, owned by the Rezidor Group. Mr. Y is the front office manager of another hotel in Istabul, specifically Swiss Otel Bosphorus, the property being owned by FIBA group and the hotel affiliated with Swiss Hotel brand with the brand being owned by Raffles Group.

Literature Review

Chapter 19 entitled Property Management of an HVS publication reports that a property lease agreement is inclusive of both advantages and disadvantages to both parties. The advantages to the property owner are those stated as follows:

(1) The owner retains title to the property, which provides possession and creates residual value when the term of the lease expires.

(2) The financial risk to the owner is minimized, particularly if the hotel company is creditworthy and has guaranteed a minimum rent (Elgin, 2010; Yu, 1999).

(3) The owner has no operational responsibilities. (Rushmore, 2002; Xiao, O'Neill, and Wang, 2008)

The disadvantages of the property owner are inclusive of the following stated disadvantages:

(1) The operator has little incentive to maintain the property in top condition as the lease term nears its expiration date. For this reason, many hotels are returned to the owners in poor physical condition, as well as with a tainted reputation. Furthermore, because much of the existing business is often diverted to other hotels managed by the operator, few reservations are on the books for the owner or new tenant.

(2) A hotel lease places the owner in a passive position. Under such an agreement, the owner has no input in the operations of the hotel or control over the hotel management. Little can be done if the property is not operated in a profitable and appropriate manner unless the terms of the lease are violated.

(3) If the hotel is extremely successful, the property owner does not participate in the financial rewards to the extent of an owner/operator. Thus, the potential for profit is somewhat limited. (Rushmore, 2002; Wickford, 2012;

(4) Leases are difficult to terminate. Unlike a management contract, which is an agency agreement, a lease creates an encumbrance on the real estate that gives the tenant specific rights of possession. (Rushmore, 2002)

There are several advantages in a property lease agreement for the hotel operator and one of these is reported to include that a higher chance of success exists "since a proven business formula is in place. The products, services and business operations have already been established. (Business Mart, 2012) In addition, there are other advantages including those stated as follows:

(1) The operator has total control of the hotel during the term of the lease with very few approvals required from ownership.

(2) A profitable hotel creates a leasehold value that can sometimes be mortgaged by the operator. If the terms of the lease permit a transfer, the leasehold value can also be realized through a sale.

(3) The upside profit created by a successful hotel will solely benefit the operator, who receives whatever money remains after operating expenses and lease rental have been paid. (Rushmore, 2002)

The disadvantages for a hotel operator are as follows:

(1) The hotel operator loses possession of the property when the lease term expires.

(2) The leasehold loses its value as the term of the lease expires.

(3) The financial risks of operating the hotel are borne by the hotel company, so the operator must have a net worth great enough to be able to incur the exposure.

(4) Leasehold interests create contingent liabilities on corporate balance sheets that can adversely affect the value of stock in publicly traded companies. Of course, because of the requirements for real estate investment trusts, hotel operating leases are a necessity. (Rushmore, 2002)

Rushmore (2002) reports that management contracts have specific advantages and disadvantages to the hotel company and the property owner alike. Advantages for the hotel operator are reported to include the following stated advantages:

(1) Inexpensive, Rapid Expansion: Because management contracts typically require very little in the way of capital outlay on the part of the operator, their use can make possible inexpensive and rapid chain expansion with a low level of investment. In fact, on occasion, in order to secure a management...

Rushmore (2002) states: "The size of the critical mass varies depending on the class and types of hotels operated, along with the nature of the services offered by the management company. The typical range of critical mass for a first-tier company is forty to fifty hotels under contract; for second-tier companies, the range is usually ten to fifteen hotels. Luxury hotels require a greater critical mass than budget operations because home office support must be more extensive. Similarly, convention-oriented chains with extensive group marketing needs require a larger critical mass than chains catering primarily to commercial travelers."
(4) Quality Control: The management contracts enable hotel companies to maintain control of physical and operational quality. Hotel companies, are always concerned about a favorable public image. It is easy to ruin a good reputation fast if a property is physically and managerially neglected. A management contract provides the level of quality control the hotel operator needs. When an unrestricted management policy and a funded reserve for replacement exist, the management company has near total control of quality and image of the property. In a franchise relationship, it is more difficult to maintain uniform quality.

(5) No Depreciation Expense: Management contracts are desirable to public hotel companies since the cash flow realization is close to what they would realize if they owned the property however, the company avoids the depreciation expenses since the property owner is liable.

Disadvantages for Operators include the following stated disadvantages:

(1) Residual Benefits of Ownership Eliminated: The owner benefits from any increase in the value of the hotel generated by the management company. This benefits the owner when selling or refinancing the property.

(2) Minimal input in Ownership Decisions: According to Rushmore (2002), "Most management agreements apply minimal restrictions on the owner's ability to transfer ownership to another party. An undercapitalized owner, for example, can restrict cash needed to cover shortfalls and adversely affect the operation and quality of the property. Also, as with any relationship, a management contract requires cooperation from both parties; a difficult owner can make life miserable for a management company by imposing any number of unreasonable demands."

(3) Dependence on Finances of Owner: When the cash flow a hotel generates is not enough to cover operating expenses and debt services it is reported that the hotel operator "…is totally dependent on the owner for providing necessary funds. No matter how thoroughly a management company investigates the creditworthiness of a hotel owner prior to entering into an agreement, adverse circumstances can quickly deplete anyone's financial resources. The risk to a hotel management company goes beyond the inconvenience of insufficient operating capital or a deferral of needed furniture replacement; it could ultimately result in the loss of a management contract as a result of bankruptcy or foreclosure. Beside the negative effect on a management company's income and reputation, such a cancellation (on the part of a bankruptcy court or foreclosing lender) seldom involves payment of a cancellation fee to the management company." (Rushmore, 2002; Adrian, 2010)

(4) Contract Termination: There are often provisions for cancellations and it is reported "…typically upon a sale, that allow owners to terminate the agreement upon payment of a stipulated cancellation fee. The disruption in management deployment and public identity, however, can be damaging especially to a first-tier operator." (Rushmore, 2002)

The advantages for the owners include the following stated advantages:

(1) Acquisition of Operational Expertise: hotel contracts make the provision to owners with operational expertise for establishment and preservation of the long-term profitability of their investment. Simultaneously, a management contract enables owners to keep ownership…