Howard Johnson vs Red Lion Hotels and Inns Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Howard Johnson vs Red Lion Hotels and Inns including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Howard Johnson Franchise
Red Lion Hotels and Inns Franchise
Investment $336,552 - $9,898,595$8,431,750 - $36,598,000
Franchise Fee $35,000 - $38,000$40,000 - $75,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%5%
Advertising Fee 4%3.5%
Year Founded 19251959
Year Franchised 19541999
Term Of Agreement 15-20 years-
Term Of Agreement 15-20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Howard Johnson Franchise
Red Lion Hotels and Inns Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Howard Johnson Franchise
Red Lion Hotels and Inns Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs Yes/No-/-
Equipment Yes/NoYes/-
Inventory Yes/No-/-
Receivables Yes/No-/-
Payroll Yes/No-/-

Training & Support
 
Howard Johnson Franchise
Red Lion Hotels and Inns Franchise
Training Regional workshops On-The-Job Training: Optional Classroom Training: Optional
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Co-op advertising, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

-

Expansion Plans
 
Howard Johnson Franchise
Red Lion Hotels and Inns Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Howard Johnson

With an advance of $500, Howard Dearing Johnson obtained a little patent drug shop in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1925. He utilized an antiquated, hand-wrenched cooler in the store's storm cellar to make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry frozen yogurt for the shop's pop wellspring. After three years, with menu increases like franks and ground sirloin sandwiches, he opened the primary Howard Johnson's Restaurant. By 1935, there were 25 Howard Johnson frozen yogurt and sandwich remains in Massachusetts. After five years, with more than 100 eateries on the Atlantic Coast, Johnson opened the main road eatery on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In 1954, when the organization worked 400 eateries, the primary Howard Johnson lodging opened in Savannah, Georgia. After Johnson's child assumed control over the organization in 1959, it was in this way procured by three unique organizations before Cendant Corp. purchased the inn network in 1990. Howard Johnson Int'l. establishments offer mid-evaluated holding up at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotels, Howard Johnson Hotels, Howard Johnson Inns and Howard Johnson Express Inns. Youngsters remain free at Howard Johnson, and Road Rally and AARP offer senior rebates at the lodgings.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Howard Johnson franchise for a 100 room new construction facility ranges from $5,393,268 to $9,898,595.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Howard Johnson franchise for a 100 room conversion facility ranges from $336,552 to $2,967,018.
Land acquisition costs are not included in these ranges. The above amounts include a range of $43,600 to $72,925 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.

#289 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

About Red Lion Hotels and Inns

Results Oriented. Growth Driven. With over 50 properties open or under development, Red Lion has positioned itself for sustainable growth. Important to the chain's lasting success is the redefinition of brand segmentation and strengthened brand identity for both Red Lion Hotels and Red Lion Inns & Suites, along with the addition of the Leo Hotel Collection, a collection of unique, boutique, historic and/or destination hotels. Publicly traded on the NYSE (RLH), Red Lion is an owner, operator and franchisor. Red Lion grew out of the Pacific Northwest with historic roots dating back more than 50 years and is showing hotel owners how they can tap into their deep experience. More hoteliers are finding that franchise partners with skin in the game truly have their franchisees' return on investment in mind. As owners, Red Lion never asks their franchisees to do anything that as a company they would not do for their own properties. The biggest benefit for hotel owners is the ability to plug their properties into a finely tuned franchise system that offers franchisees the highest level of support including access to industry leading technology, business intelligence and revenue management systems. With a keen eye on the market, Red Lion's new consumer website creates direct interaction with guests, offers local experiences and provides an improved booking engine. The locally inspired experience carries through to the service culture at the property and brings the website's local focus full circle, creating a impactful point of differentiation that helps build guest loyalty.

 Join a growing brand that takes pride in ownership too. Which Red Lion is right for you? If you are an owner of an independent hotel, or have a franchise agreement about to expire and would like to review franchise Opportunities, please contact: Mike Castro, Vice President Brand Services Red Lion Hotels Corporation 201 W North River Dr., Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201 509-777-6326 (office) 509-464-9896 (mobile) 509-325-7324 (fax) [email protected] Steve KrebsSteve Krebs, Director, Lodging Development Red Lion Hotels Corporation 201 W North River Dr., Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201 505-306-0073 (mobile) 509-325-7324 (fax) [email protected]

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a 125-room Red Lion Inn & Suites Hotel with a minimal food and beverage offering is estimated to range between $8,431,750 to $12,448,000 for new development and $586,500 to $2,709,000 for conversion hotels. These amounts include $65,500 to $89,500 that must be paid to the franchisor. These amounts do not include the cost of purchasing or leasing land or any real estate taxes.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a 250-room full service Red Lion Hotel, including meeting space and catering service, is estimated to range between $28,594,750 to $36,598,000 for new development and $1,091,500 to $4,562,000 for conversion hotels. These amounts include $105,500 to $129,500 that must be paid to the franchisor. These amounts do not include the cost of purchasing or leasing land or any real estate taxes.