Choice Hotels International shared an update on its Canadian business, highlighting continued momentum following the company's acquisition last year and transition to a direct franchising model.
Choice's Canadian business delivered its strongest first quarter in over a decade, with net room growth of 3.4% year-over-year, reaching its highest first-quarter hotel opening volume since 2010. Additional highlights include:
- Increased revenue over 20 percent year-over-year.
- Delivered RevPAR growth of 5.2 percent year-over-year on a currency-neutral basis, driven by gains in both occupancy and average daily rate.
- Expanded pipeline rooms by 55 percent year-over-year, reflecting sustained development momentum and the benefits of expanding Choice Hotels' branded portfolio in Canada.
- Continued improvement in guest satisfaction, with increasing likelihood-to-recommend scores across the system
"The outstanding performance we're achieving in Canada reflects our confidence in this market and the strong execution of our team and franchisees driving it forward," Choice President and CEO Pat Pacious said in a statement. "This momentum highlights the strength of our expanding international footprint, and we see significant opportunity for continued growth in the region."
The strong start to 2026 represents the successful transition to a direct franchising model in Canada. This foundation enables continued growth across multiple strategic priorities, including enhancing hotel performance, expanding upscale and extended stay presence, and building on a strong development pipeline for continued accelerated system growth nationwide.
"I'm incredibly proud of our team and grateful for their hard work and commitment during this exciting period of transformation," said Toronto-based Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. "What we're seeing today is the result of a truly collaborative effort. The strength of our franchisee community, paired with our local team and the support and scale of Choice Hotels International, positions us exceptionally well to continue to build momentum and grow – enabling owners to succeed while delivering more reliable, rewarding stays for guests across the country."