Hawthorn Suites

Hawthorn Suites is a United States hotel chain serving the extended-stay and all-suite lodging segments. The brand was established in 1983 in Austin, Texas, by Hawthorn Property Group, a Chicago-based real-estate company. Its initial properties were concentrated in and around Austin, and two hotels acquired from the Austin-based Brookhollow chain in 1985 became part of its early development. The brand subsequently passed through several ownership and franchising arrangements before becoming part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. The chain was acquired by the Pritzker family in 1986. At that time, the Pritzkers also owned Hyatt, and Hawthorn grew from 10 hotels to 17 during their ownership. In 1996, the Pritzker family entered into an agreement with US Franchise Systems, Inc. granting the company Hawthorn Suites' franchising rights. US Franchise Systems purchased the brand outright from the Pritzkers in early 1998 and expanded it rapidly, eventually taking the chain to more than 100 hotels. In November 2000, US Franchise Systems was acquired by business interests of the Pritzker family, bringing Hawthorn back under their broader ownership interests. A major change occurred on July 21, 2008, when Wyndham Hotels and Resorts acquired US Franchise Systems, Inc. for $150 million. The transaction brought both Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns into Wyndham's portfolio. Hawthorn has since operated as a Wyndham-associated hotel brand, with its business model relying on franchised properties and a standardized extended-stay proposition. Hawthorn Suites properties generally provide accommodations intended to support stays longer than a typical overnight hotel visit. Typical amenities include suite-style rooms, meeting rooms, exercise facilities, swimming pools, and complimentary hot buffet breakfast and dinner at many locations. The combination of residential-style space and included food service is intended to appeal to business travelers, relocating households, project-based workers, and other guests seeking greater convenience during multi-night stays. Specific amenities can vary by property. The brand occupies an upper-moderate to low-upscale position within the extended-stay market. Its named competitors include Hilton's Homewood Suites, Hyatt House, Marriott's Residence Inn, and InterContinental Hotels Group's Staybridge Suites. Because Hawthorn is not exclusively an extended-stay brand, it can also overlap with all-suite and longer-stay offerings such as Marriott's SpringHill Suites and Choice Hotels' Comfort Suites. As of December 31, 2018, the chain had 110 properties and 10,633 rooms. Reference material also described the brand as continuing to expand in the United States and internationally in 2009, although a current global property count is not established here.

Hawthorn Suites began in 1983 in Austin, Texas, as a hotel venture of Hawthorn Property Group, a Chicago-based real-estate company. The first hotels were located in and around Austin. In 1985, two properties acquired from the Austin-based Brookhollow chain joined the developing brand, helping establish its early operating base. In 1986, the Pritzker family acquired Hawthorn Suites. The Pritzkers were then associated with Hyatt, and their ownership connected Hawthorn to a major hotel-industry family. The chain grew from 10 hotels to 17 while under their control. Rather than retaining all franchising activity directly, the Pritzkers signed an agreement in 1996 giving US Franchise Systems, Inc. the franchising rights for Hawthorn Suites. US Franchise Systems purchased Hawthorn completely from the Pritzker family in early 1998. Under USFS, the brand expanded rapidly and surpassed 100 hotels. This phase shifted Hawthorn from a relatively small regional chain toward a broader franchised hotel system. In November 2000, business interests of the Pritzker family acquired US Franchise Systems, returning Hawthorn and the company's other brands to ownership connected with the Pritzkers. The next major ownership transition came in 2008. On July 21, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts purchased US Franchise Systems, Inc. for $150 million. The transaction included Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns, while another USFS-associated chain, America's Best Inn, had previously been sold in 2005. Wyndham's acquisition placed Hawthorn within a large multi-brand lodging portfolio and made Wyndham the brand's subsequent corporate owner. Hawthorn developed around a lodging model positioned between conventional hotels and more residential extended-stay properties. Its hotels generally offer suites or suite-like accommodations, with amenities intended to make longer visits more convenient. Depending on the property, these amenities include meeting rooms, fitness facilities, swimming pools, and complimentary hot buffet breakfast and dinner. The brand therefore addresses guests who value additional space and practical services over a purely short-stay hotel format. Within the competitive landscape, Hawthorn is associated primarily with the upper-moderate to low-upscale extended-stay segment. Its principal comparison brands include Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hyatt House, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Staybridge Suites by InterContinental Hotels Group. Because Hawthorn is not exclusively an extended-stay concept, its competitive set can also include all-suite or longer-stay brands such as SpringHill Suites and Comfort Suites. As of December 31, 2018, Hawthorn Suites had 110 properties containing 10,633 rooms. A 2009 reference described approximately 80 locations at that time and stated that the brand continued to expand in the United States and worldwide. The available reference material does not establish a current property count, present headquarters, named corporate executives, or a complete account of current international operations.

• 2018

  Reported portfolio reaches 110 properties

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  As of December 31, 2018, the chain was reported to have 110 properties and 10,633 rooms.

• 2008

  Wyndham acquires the parent company

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  Wyndham Hotels and Resorts acquired US Franchise Systems, Inc. for $150 million, obtaining Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns.

• 2000

  Pritzker interests acquire US Franchise Systems

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  Business interests of the Pritzker family purchased US Franchise Systems, including its Hawthorn Suites business.

• 1998

  US Franchise Systems purchases the brand

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  US Franchise Systems purchased Hawthorn Suites outright and accelerated its expansion, eventually taking the chain beyond 100 hotels.

• 1996

  US Franchise Systems receives franchising rights

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  The Pritzkers agreed to grant US Franchise Systems, Inc. all franchising rights for Hawthorn Suites.

• 1986

  Pritzker family acquires Hawthorn Suites

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  The Pritzker family acquired the chain; Hawthorn grew from 10 to 17 hotels during this period.

• 1985

  Brookhollow properties join the chain

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  Two hotels acquired from the Austin-based Brookhollow chain became part of Hawthorn Suites' early property base.

• 1983

  Hawthorn Suites is founded in Austin

  [1]Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org

  Hawthorn Property Group established the hotel chain in Austin, Texas, with its first properties concentrated in and around the city.

An upper-moderate to low-upscale extended-stay and all-suite hotel brand emphasizing practical residential-style accommodations, business-travel convenience, and included food and recreational amenities.

• Extended-stay and all-suite lodging · 1983

  Hawthorn Suites hotels

  The core Hawthorn Suites offering consists of hotels designed principally for extended stays, while also serving some conventional all-suite demand. Properties generally emphasize extra space and practical amenities for guests remaining several nights or longer. Depending on the location, facilities may include meeting rooms, exercise facilities, swimming pools, and complimentary hot buffet breakfast and dinner. Property-level features are not necessarily uniform across the system.

• 2008

  Wyndham acquires US Franchise SystemsM&A

  Background

  US Franchise Systems owned Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns and operated them as hotel brands within its portfolio.

  Action taken

  Wyndham Hotels and Resorts purchased US Franchise Systems, Inc. for $150 million.

  Aftermath

  Hawthorn Suites became part of Wyndham's hotel-brand portfolio.

  Acquisition price. $150 million (July 21, 2008)

  Source

• 1998

  US Franchise Systems purchases Hawthorn SuitesM&A

  Background

  US Franchise Systems had already obtained the brand's franchising rights in 1996.

  Action taken

  US Franchise Systems purchased Hawthorn Suites completely from the Pritzker family.

  Aftermath

  The company continued rapid development of the brand, which reached more than 100 hotels.

  Source

• 1996

  Franchising rights transferred to US Franchise SystemsStrategy

  Background

  The Pritzker family was seeking a franchising structure for Hawthorn Suites as the chain continued to develop.

  Action taken

  The Pritzkers entered into an agreement granting US Franchise Systems, Inc. the franchising rights for the brand.

  Aftermath

  US Franchise Systems later purchased Hawthorn Suites outright in early 1998 and expanded the system to more than 100 hotels.

  Source

1. 1Hawthorn Suitesen.wikipedia.org