Choice Hotels International Debuts MainStay Suites™ in Australia with Addition of 581 Rooms

Rhea-AI Summary

Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH) launched MainStay Suites in Australia on October 15, 2025, opening seven properties that add 581 rooms and mark the brand's first expansion outside North America.

The rollout raises Choice's Australian portfolio to 7,487 rooms across 163 hotels, links with Extended STAY Australasia under a direct franchise agreement, and includes participation in Choice Privileges.

Choice reaffirmed its international growth cadence, citing an international portfolio exceeding 150,000 rooms outside the U.S. and its expectation of high single-digit international room growth for the year.

Positive

• Added 581 rooms through seven MainStay Suites openings
• Australian portfolio now 7,487 rooms across 163 hotels
• First MainStay expansion outside North America — new market entry
• SSAW China agreement adds over 9,500 rooms to portfolio
• Choice acquired remaining stake in Choice Hotels Canada, enabling direct franchising

Negative

• None.

Insights

International Expansion Analyst

Choice expands MainStay Suites into Australia, adding 581 rooms and reinforcing international franchise growth.

Choice Hotels' move launches MainStay Suites outside North America with seven hotels and an incremental 581 rooms, taking its Australian portfolio to 7,487 rooms and 163 hotels as of Oct. 15, 2025. The structure leverages a direct franchising agreement with Extended STAY Australasia, combining Choice's brand and loyalty network with local operating know‑how. Including participation in Choice Privileges connects these properties to over 7,100 hotels worldwide and supports a turnkey franchise proposition for developers.

Key dependencies and risks rest on execution of conversions and new builds, franchisee uptake, and sustained demand from targeted segments (FIFO workers, healthcare, government, construction). The company cites an expectation of high single-digit international room growth this year and a global international portfolio exceeding 150,000 rooms outside the U.S., which frames this as one element of a broader expansion strategy rather than an isolated initiative.

Watch near term for confirmation of additional franchise commitments and the pace of pipeline roll‑out over the next 12–24 months; monitor announced room additions and the terms of local franchise agreements as the clearest execution signals. The factual combination of brand launch, concrete room addition, and a named local partner implies a positive strategic step for international growth.

Seven new MainStay Suites™ properties launch — marking Choice Hotels International's entry into extended stay as one of Australia's largest direct franchise players

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, one of world's largest and most successful accommodation franchisors, is launching MainStay Suites™ in Australia. This marks the MainStay brand's first expansion outside North America, with seven hotels opening across the country — beginning with properties in Melbourne, Whyalla, Mackay, and Townsville. This milestone also highlights Choice Hotels International's leadership in the extended stay segment and underscores its commitment to accelerated growth in key international markets.

With this launch, Choice Hotels International strengthens its Australian portfolio—bringing the total to 7,487 rooms and 163 hotels— and solidifying its position as one of the largest direct franchise players in the Australian market.

The Australian market is seeing rapid growth in demand for extended stay accommodation across business, healthcare, government, and construction sectors. MainStay Suites addresses this need by offering apartment-style comfort with hotel-level convenience—fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, laundry facilities, and dedicated workspaces—helping guests maintain their routines with minimal interruption. Guests include Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) workers, healthcare professionals, and relocating families.

"Introducing MainStay Suites to Australia strengthens our presence in the region, and now broadens our reach into the growing extended stay category," said Pat Pacious, President and Chief Executive Officer at Choice Hotels.  "This launch supports our growth strategy and international footprint, providing tailored solutions for corporate and government travelers, as well as project-based workers."

All properties will participate in Choice Privileges, the award-winning loyalty program, enabling members to earn and redeem points at over 7,100 hotels worldwide. For investors and developers, MainStay Suites presents a turnkey opportunity to enter the expanding extended stay sector, suitable for new builds and conversions, backed by Choice Hotels' infrastructure and local expertise.  In Australia, the launch of MainStay Suites marks just the beginning, with significant opportunity to further expand the brand's presence across the country in response to growing demand for extended stay accommodation.

The brand's debut in Australia is through a collaborative, strategic relationship with Extended STAY Australasia, the company that pioneered the extended stay concept in Australia. This direct franchising agreement enables Choice Hotels to deliver its leading extended stay model, while leveraging Extended STAY Australasia's local expertise and operational excellence. Paul Constantinou AM, Chairman of Extended STAY Australasia, said, "MainStay Suites is more than just a place to stay—it's about giving guests the flexibility and comfort they need while away from home. With our 'Live Like Home™' experience, we're offering long-stay travelers a convenient and comfortable alternative to traditional hotels."

This AsiaPac announcement follows exciting rooms growth news in China and Japan. With its continued expectation of achieving high single-digit international room growth this year, Choice Hotels remains confident in the accelerated expansion of its international portfolio, which now exceeds 150,000 rooms outside the U.S. The company sees a significant long-term opportunity to further grow its global footprint and capture additional international market share across key regions. Recently, the company announced several major achievements that build on Choice Hotels' broader international growth, including:

• A long-term distribution and master franchise agreement with SSAW Hotels & Resorts in China, adding over 9,500 rooms to the Ascend Collection with an additional commitment to grow the Comfort and Quality brands to 100 properties in the country.
• The debut in Japan of 22 new Comfort properties extending Choice Hotels' portfolio to 96 across key destinations in the country.
• Continued expansion across the Caribbean and Latin America through strategic relationships, including an agreement with Atlántica Hospitality International in Brazil, which encompasses 70 hotels and more than 10,000 rooms across multiple segments as of Q2 2025. The company also recently made its debut in Argentina with the opening of Radisson Blu Bariloche, a modern lakeside retreat featuring 80 total guest rooms of which 32 are suites. This opening marks a monumental step in bringing the brand's world-class hospitality to Patagonia and growing both the upscale and upper upscale footprint across the Caribbean and Latin American region.
• The acquisition of the remaining stake in Choice Hotels Canada, transitioning to a direct franchising model that paves the way for accelerated growth. As of Q2 2025, Choice Hotels' Canadian portfolio included 350 hotels and 30,000 rooms, with more than 2,500 rooms in the pipeline, reinforcing the company's commitment to international expansion.
• Major expansion in France, nearly doubling the company's portfolio with 50 new hotels that will be Quality Suites (4,800+ rooms), bringing the total to 107 franchised hotels in Europe's largest hotel franchise market.

These milestones, alongside the introduction of MainStay Suites in Australia, underscore Choice Hotels International's commitment to innovation and its leadership in the extended stay segment across Asia-Pacific and beyond.

About Choice Hotels®  

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, with nearly 7,500 hotels, representing over 640,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories. A wide-ranging portfolio of 22 brands that includes full-service upper upscale, midscale, extended stay, and economy properties enables Choice® to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

About Extended STAY Australasia:   

Extended STAY Australasia™ founded by hospitality leaders Paul Constantinou AM and Damian Gallace, is reshaping extended stay living for corporate and government professionals across Australasia. With over 30 years of experience and a proven track record managing more than 170 serviced apartments—including direct ownership and hands-on management of 40 properties—Extended STAY Australasia delivers tailored, serviced apartment solutions that combine the comfort of home with business-ready functionality. Through innovative developments, sustainable retrofits, and meaningful community engagement, Extended STAY Australasia partners with developers, councils, and government bodies to create thriving, community-focused properties that drive economic growth and deliver lasting impact.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated development and hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.

Addendum 
This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 915 Meeting St Ste 600, North Bethesda, MD 20852, email: development@choicehotels.com. 

 

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

FAQ

What did Choice Hotels announce on October 15, 2025 about MainStay Suites (CHH)?

Choice announced the launch of MainStay Suites in Australia with seven hotels adding 581 rooms, the brand's first expansion beyond North America.

How many hotels and rooms does Choice Hotels now have in Australia after the MainStay Suites launch?

The company reports an Australian portfolio of 163 hotels totaling 7,487 rooms.

Will MainStay Suites in Australia participate in Choice Privileges (CHH)?

Yes. All MainStay Suites properties in Australia will participate in Choice Privileges for earning and redeeming points.

Does the MainStay Suites Australia launch involve local partners for CHH?

Yes. The launch is via a direct franchising agreement with Extended STAY Australasia to leverage local expertise.

How does the Australia launch fit into Choice Hotels' international growth targets for CHH?

Choice said the launch supports its international expansion and reiterated an expectation of high single-digit international room growth for the year.