|
David Pepper is Senior Vice President Franchise Growth and Performance for worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) where he provides strategic direction for growing Choice’s successful franchise system.
In this role Mr. Pepper leads the company’s development and franchise services efforts in order to expand the company’s franchise base and to help the company’s hotel owners and operators maximize their profitability.
In January 2005 Pepper’s team launched the Cambria Suites brand a select-service all-suites hotel brand. This growth is a direct response to strong market demand for a lower-upscale lodging product as well as Choice’s capacity to build brand loyalty in a highly competitive consumer marketplace.
In September 2005 Pepper led Choice's acquisition of the 67-unit Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand making Choice the leading franchisor in the economy extended-stay segment and confirming its franchising leadership position. Suburban has a solid track record of performance including an average occupancy rate of nearly 74% compared to 61% for the overall U.S. hotel average.
Pepper joined Choice Hotels in 2002 and under his leadership franchise sales have nearly doubled in just three years: Choice closed 300 domestic franchise deals in 2002 compared to 470 in 2003 552 in 2004 and 639 in 2005.
Pepper is a graduate of Tufts University.
With more than 14 years in hotel sales his track record in hospitality is impressive. Prior to joining Choice he spent six years with US Franchise Systems as vice president of franchise sales for Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns. He also spent five years with Holiday Inn Worldwide as a director of franchise sales.
| 