The innovative hotel group has launched its franchise and hotel conversion model in the UK to support impressive global growth plans.
With 18 hotels in operation across the world and on target to reach 50 hotels by 2025, global hotel group YOTEL, has recently expanded into offering franchises alongside hotel management agreements as part of its global expansion strategy. It’s first UK franchise property has just opened in the centre of Manchester following an acquisition by Tristan Capital Partners, marking it the third franchise agreement for the brand following the recent openings of YOTEL Porto and YOTELPAD Park City. YOTEL Manchester opened earlier this month, rebranding what was previously the Qbic Manchester hotel. This is the group’s fourth hotel opening in the UK in under two years and rebranding of the hotel is due to be completed in Q1 2022.
The conversion of the 261-cabin hotel, conveniently located on the corner of iconic Deansgate and John Dalton Street, was made possible thanks the room sizes being similar to that of signature YOTEL cabins and the hotel already incorporating dynamic and localised public spaces, another ‘must’ for the global brand. Like many of the other YOTEL properties around the globe, YOTEL Manchester’s location makes it ideal for both business and leisure travellers as well as an excellent eat, drink, meet and exercise destination for residents of the city.
Commenting on the opening of YOTEL Manchester, Hubert Viriot, CEO of YOTEL said: “We’re delighted to add our global brand name to our fourth hotel in the UK and where better than in the vibrant city of Manchester. Home to two of the world’s most iconic football clubs, the fastest growing tech hub in Europe and a brilliant entertainment destination - it has always been high on our list of future hotels. This deal showcases our continued sophistication and ability to work with well-established hotel owners and investors using a variety of business models.”
The group’s franchise business model allows investors and operators to benefit from YOTEL’s brand power as leader of the affordable luxury segment. Its innovative low touch, high-tech concept appeals to today’s modern traveller who are seeking out more than just a great night’s sleep and who find traditional hotels uninspiring.
“YOTEL Manchester contributes to the more than 1,000 keys in our UK portfolio and is testament to the continuation of our expansion plans in the UK and Europe whether through new builds, franchise agreements or hotel and other conversions. We are looking forward to emulating this strategy in other key European cities,” continued Viriot.
“Launching YOTEL’s franchising business model in the UK and Europe comes at an opportune time as investors look towards partnering with unique brands which are best positioned for the post-COVID world. With our transparent fee structure and owner focused approach, we believe that franchising will become a key growth strategy for YOTEL,” says Rohan Thakkar, SVP Development & Technical Services.
YOTEL Manchester follows the openings in Glasgow, London and Edinburgh in the UK, joining Amsterdam, Istanbul and Porto in the European city hotel portfolio with YOTEL Geneva slated to open in 2022. The brand also has YOTELAIR properties at European airports in Amsterdam, Paris, Istanbul and London. YOTELPAD, the brand’s extended stay concept launched in the US in 2020 in Park City whilst YOTELPAD Miami opens early next year.