Simone Wu to retire from Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH) after 2026 transition

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Choice Hotels International, Inc. reported that Simone Wu, its Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & External Affairs, has informed the company she intends to retire in the first half of 2026. She will remain in her current role until a successor is appointed and will assist with an orderly transition. In connection with her departure, she will receive benefits under the company’s existing compensation and benefits plans and her Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation & Severance Benefit Agreement, as amended.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC / DE0001046311FALSE00010463112026-02-202026-02-20

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

  _____________________________________________________ 

FORM 8-K

 _____________________________________________________ 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 2026

  _____________________________________________________ 

 CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 _____________________________________________________ 

Delaware			001-13393			52-1209792
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)			(Commission File Number)			(IRS Employer Identification Number)

915 Meeting Street						20852
Suite 600
North Bethesda,			Maryland
(Address of principal executive offices)						(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (301) 592-5000

  _____________________________________________________  

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): 

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Ticker Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share

CHH

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company			☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment

of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On February 20, 2026, Simone Wu, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & External Affairs of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (the “Company), informed the Company that she intends to retire from her role with the Company in the first half of 2026, remaining in her current role until her successor is appointed and working with the Company to assist in an orderly transition. In connection with her departure, the Company and Ms. Wu agreed that she will be entitled to benefits in accordance with the Company’s compensation and benefits plans and the Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation & Severance Benefit Agreement entered into by and between Ms. Wu and the Company on February 13, 2012 as amended on March 25, 2013, and December 31, 2025.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:

February 20, 2026

/s/ Scott E. Oaksmith

Scott E. Oaksmith

Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What executive change did Choice Hotels (CHH) disclose in this 8-K?

Choice Hotels disclosed that Simone Wu, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & External Affairs, intends to retire in the first half of 2026. She will stay in her role until a successor is appointed and help manage an orderly leadership transition.

When is Simone Wu expected to retire from Choice Hotels (CHH)?

Simone Wu intends to retire from Choice Hotels in the first half of 2026. Until then, she will continue serving as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & External Affairs and will support the company as it transitions to her eventual successor.

Will Simone Wu remain at Choice Hotels (CHH) during the transition?

Yes, Simone Wu will remain in her current role until her successor is appointed. She will work with Choice Hotels to assist in an orderly transition of her responsibilities, helping maintain continuity in legal, corporate governance and external affairs functions during the leadership change.

What retirement-related benefits will Simone Wu receive from Choice Hotels (CHH)?

Upon her departure, Simone Wu will be entitled to benefits under Choice Hotels’ compensation and benefits plans. She will also receive benefits specified in her Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation & Severance Benefit Agreement, as amended over time between her and the company.

Does this Choice Hotels (CHH) filing mention any changes to Simone Wu’s severance agreement?

The filing states that Simone Wu’s benefits will follow her existing Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation & Severance Benefit Agreement. That agreement was originally entered into in 2012 and later amended in 2013 and 2025, with no new modifications described in this disclosure.

Which executive officer signed this Choice Hotels (CHH) 8-K?

The 8-K was signed on behalf of Choice Hotels by Scott E. Oaksmith. He is identified in the document as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, acting as the duly authorized officer for this current report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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