EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1722684
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1722684_10-K_2025_0001722684-25-000005.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (“Wyndham Hotels”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of franchised properties, with approximately 9,300 affiliated hotels with approximately 903,000 rooms located in over 95 countries and welcoming approximately 135 million guests annually worldwide. We operate a hotel portfolio of 25 brands. Our 25 brands are primarily located in secondary and tertiary cities and approximately 80% of the U.S. population lives within ten miles of at least one of our affiliated hotels. Our mission is to make hotel travel possible for all. Wherever people go, Wyndham will be there to welcome them. We boast a remarkably asset-light business model dramatically limiting our capital needs and our exposure to the rising wage environment.
Our widely recognized brands with select-service focus offer a breadth of options for franchisees and a wide range of price points and experiences for our guests. We are a global leader in the economy and midscale chain scales where our brands represent approximately 30% of branded rooms in the United States. Additionally, we have a strong presence in the upper midscale chain scale.
The following charts illustrate our system size (by rooms) as of December 31, 2024:
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* Royalty contribution by geography for 2024 was as follows: U.S. 78%, Canada 5%, EMEA 8%, LATAM 3%, and Asia Pacific 6%.
** LATAM is representative of Latin America and the Caribbean.
*** EMEA is representative of Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia and Africa.
As of December 31, 2024, our brand portfolio consisted of the following:
Global Full Year RevPAR North America Asia Pacific
U.S. Canada Greater China Rest of Asia EMEA LATAM Total
Economy
Super 8 $ 28.06 Properties 1,375 117 1,108 1 14 1 2,616
Rooms 82,332 7,545 67,248 50 2,053 50 159,278
Days Inn $ 39.32 Properties 1,235 107 97 10 56 10 1,515
Rooms 88,460 8,516 13,398 1,250 3,451 819 115,894
Travelodge $ 39.63 Properties 328 95 - - - - 423
Rooms 22,231 7,361 - - - - 29,592
Microtel $ 46.26 Properties 285 27 25 15 - 8 360
Rooms 20,149 2,368 2,880 1,118 - 955 27,470
Howard Johnson $ 29.47 Properties 139 18 84 5 7 39 292
Rooms 11,043 1,181 24,048 2,357 790 2,664 42,083
Total Economy $ 34.01 Properties 3,362 364 1,314 31 77 58 5,206
Rooms 224,215 26,971 107,574 4,775 6,294 4,488 374,317
Midscale
La Quinta $ 64.06 Properties 884 2 4 3 6 10 909
Rooms 84,377 133 925 550 947 1,161 88,093
Ramada $ 36.83 Properties 264 76 150 72 256 32 850
Rooms 29,628 7,185 29,665 13,587 34,170 4,689 118,924
Baymont $ 40.62 Properties 547 8 - - - 1 556
Rooms 41,115 501 - - - 118 41,734
AmericInn $ 56.63 Properties 226 - - - - - 226
Rooms 13,579 - - - - - 13,579
Wingate $ 56.26 Properties 189 8 13 - - - 210
Rooms 16,331 823 1,833 - - - 18,987
Wyndham Alltra $ 192.07 Properties - - - - - 4 4
Rooms - - - - - 1,170 1,170
Wyndham Garden $ 42.35 Properties 71 4 43 17 28 26 189
Rooms 10,719 696 8,669 3,676 4,361 3,506 31,627
Ramada Encore $ 28.93 Properties - - 34 11 32 8 85
Rooms - - 4,591 2,814 3,682 1,114 12,201
Trademark Collection $ 62.27 Properties 91 17 - 18 130 27 283
Rooms 13,036 2,433 - 2,195 17,476 7,836 42,976
TRYP $ 58.73 Properties 8 - 2 4 25 16 55
Rooms 841 - 201 613 3,574 1,914 7,143
Total Midscale $ 49.22 Properties 2,280 115 246 125 477 124 3,367
Rooms 209,626 11,771 45,884 23,435 64,210 21,508 376,434
Upscale
Wyndham $ 48.98 Properties 61 2 58 25 27 39 212
Rooms 13,709 640 16,266 7,721 4,223 7,172 49,731
Wyndham Grand $ 53.65 Properties 9 - 45 8 16 2 80
Rooms 2,920 - 13,411 3,663 3,820 772 24,586
Dazzler $ 51.65 Properties - - - - - 14 14
Rooms - - - - - 1,798 1,798
Esplendor $ 46.59 Properties - - - - - 11 11
Rooms - - - - - 910 910
Dolce $ 76.84 Properties 2 - - 1 12 1 16
Rooms 396 - - 342 3,221 341 4,300
Vienna House $ 67.36 Properties - - - - 49 - 49
Rooms - - - - 7,195 - 7,195
Total Upscale $ 53.34 Properties 72 2 103 34 104 67 382
Rooms 17,025 640 29,677 11,726 18,459 10,993 88,520
Luxury
Registry Collection NM Properties 1 1 - - 16 16 34
Rooms 128 279 - - 3,453 7,153 11,013
Extended Stay
Echo Suites NM Properties 5 - - - - - 5
Rooms 620 - - - - - 620
Hawthorn $ 53.62 Properties 71 - 11 - 5 - 87
Rooms 5,443 - 1,199 - 542 - 7,184
WaterWalk $ 81.62 Properties 11 - - - - - 11
Rooms 1,502 - - - - - 1,502
Total Extended Stay $ 56.25 Properties 87 - 11 - 5 - 103
Rooms 7,565 - 1,199 - 542 - 9,306
Affiliated properties (a)
Properties 177 3 - 11 - 3 194
Rooms 43,229 44 - 47 - 77 43,397
Total $ 42.91 Properties 5,979 485 1,674 201 679 268 9,286
Rooms 501,788 39,705 184,334 39,983 92,958 44,219 902,987
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(a)Affiliated properties represent properties under affiliation arrangements with former Parent or other third parties.
NM - not meaningful.
The following table presents the changes in our portfolio for the last three years:
As of December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Properties Rooms Properties Rooms Properties Rooms
Beginning balance 9,178 871,800 9,059 842,500 8,950 810,100
Additions
515 68,700 500 66,000 490 70,400
Deletions
(407) (37,500) (381) (36,700) (381) (38,000)
Ending balance 9,286 903,000 9,178 871,800 9,059 842,500
In addition to our current hotel portfolio, we have approximately 2,100 properties and 252,000 rooms in our development pipeline throughout 66 countries. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 42% of our pipeline was located in the U.S. and 58% was located internationally; 78% of our pipeline was for new construction properties, of which 35% have broken ground and 22% represented conversion opportunities. Approximately 70% of our pipeline is for midscale and above hotels and 17% is in the extended stay segment.
Our pipeline is typically only a subset of our development activity in any given period as some of our hotel additions are executed and opened in less than 90 days and therefore may never appear in our pipeline. However, we use the pipeline to gauge interest in our brands and our continued ability to drive our net room growth projections.
Our franchise sales team consists of over 170 professionals throughout the world. Our sales team is focused on growing our franchise business through conversions of existing branded and independent hotels and partnering with developers to brand newly constructed hotels. In addition to a regional presence in the United States, we currently have sales teams located in England, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore, Canada, India, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Australia. Our international presence in key countries allows us to quickly adapt to changes in the increasingly dynamic global marketplace and to capitalize on new opportunities as they emerge.
In 2024, our sales team executed 822 contracts representing over 103,000 rooms. A key component of driving our net room growth is our ability to retain properties within our system. Our 2024 global retention rate was 95.7%, which was a 10 basis point improvement from 2023. Our 2024 U.S. retention rate was 95.3%.
Our Guest Loyalty Program
Wyndham Rewards is our award-winning guest loyalty program that supports our portfolio of brands. The program generates significant repeat business by rewarding guests with points for each qualified stay at all of our participating properties. Members can use points for stays at over 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally as well as merchandise, gift cards, airlines, charities, and tours and activities. Affiliation with our loyalty programs encourages members to allocate more of their travel spending to our hotels.
Wyndham Rewards has been recognized as one of the simplest, most rewarding loyalty programs in the hotel industry, providing more value to members than any other program. It has won more than 100 awards and accolades in recent years and was recently ranked #1 “Best Hotel Loyalty Program” in USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for seven consecutive years and as one of the “Best Travel Rewards Programs” by US News & World Report for ten years running.
Wyndham Rewards has approximately 114 million enrolled members. Our members accounted for over 37% of check-ins at our affiliated hotels globally and over 50% in the United States. Total membership grew 8% annually in 2024, 2023 and 2022, with approximately 8 million new enrolled members added in 2024. Our franchisees benefit from the program through repeat stays and members benefit through free night stays, as well as other redemption options for their points, such as gift cards and experiences. The program is funded by contributions from eligible revenues generated by Wyndham Rewards members and collected by us from hotels in our system. These funds are applied to reimburse hotels and partners for Wyndham Rewards points redemptions by loyalty members and to pay for administrative expenses and marketing initiatives that support the program.
OUR FRANCHISING BUSINESS
Hotel Franchising Segment Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA (a) ($ in millions)
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(a)See Part II Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for our definition of Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA. Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA has been recasted to conform with the current year presentation for 2020. The 2020 Hotel Franchising net income and adjusted EBITDA was impacted by COVID-19.
(b)The reconciliation of Hotel Franchising net income to Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(in millions) 2024 (a)
2023 (a)
2022 2021 2020
Hotel Franchising net income $ 628 $ 606 $ 583 $ 503 $ 103
Depreciation and amortization 62 67 63 60 63
Stock-based compensation expense 27 25 21 18 13
Development advance notes amortization 24 15 12 11 9
Restructuring costs 14 - - - 15
Impairments, net 12 - - - 189
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries - 14 - - -
Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA $ 767 $ 727 $ 679 $ 592 $ 392
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(a) For 2024 and 2023, the Hotel Franchising segment includes the former Hotel Management segment, which is primarily comprised of our remaining international full-service managed business.
We license our brands and associated trademarks to approximately 6,200 franchisees globally, which provides for a highly diversified owner base with limited concentration. Our franchisees range from sole proprietors to institutional investors such as public real estate investment trusts. Our franchise agreements are typically 10 to 20 years in length, providing significant visibility into future cash flows. Under these agreements, our direct franchisees generally pay us a royalty fee of approximately 5% of gross room revenue and a marketing and reservation fee of 3% to 5% of gross room revenue. We occasionally provide financial support in the form of loans or development advances to help generate new business.
OUR STRATEGY
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest hotel franchisor by number of franchised properties with approximately 9,300 hotels across 25 brands in more than 95 countries. Our mission is to make hotel travel possible for all while delivering the best value to both our owners and guests. We aim to ensure that wherever people travel, Wyndham is there to welcome them.
Operating under an asset-light business model, we generate significant cash flow, which allows us to invest in growth opportunities, strengthen our competitive position, and return capital to shareholders.
Our mission and vision are supported by the following strategic goals and objectives:
•Grow our direct franchising system by 3.6-4.6% in 2025.
•Invest in high FeePAR (RevPAR + royalty rates) growth by targeting additions with attractive RevPAR and royalty rates, while establishing a leadership position in the extended stay segment.
•Leverage government infrastructure investment opportunities tied to the U.S. Infrastructure and Chips Acts.
•Expand ancillary revenue streams by enhancing co-branded credit card offerings, introducing new products and services, and strengthening strategic marketing partnerships, including our licensing partnership with Travel + Leisure Co.
•Enhance franchisee profitability by optimizing top-line performance, lowering on-property labor and operating costs, and elevating the guest experience through continuous digital innovation.
•Maintain disciplined capital allocation by investing in strategic growth opportunities, including M&A, and returning capital to shareholders.
Our strategic priorities are more than just goals; they are a commitment to our shareholders, franchisees, and guests that we will remain focused on driving growth, operational excellence, and value creation in all we do.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
We are committed to operating our business in a way that is socially, ethically and environmentally responsible. Now more than ever, we must help ensure the future remains bright for travelers around the world. As the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of franchised properties, we have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the world while advancing our mission to make hotel travel possible for all.
As a hospitality company, service and volunteering is deeply rooted in our history and corporate culture. Our teams and franchisees around the world actively engage in their communities, generously giving in ways that enhance the lives of others. We support various charitable programs, including youth and education, military, community and environmental programs. Our philanthropy captures the dedication of our team members, leaders and business partners who have pledged to make lasting, important contributions to the communities in which we operate.
HUMAN CAPITAL
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately 2,200 employees, consisting of approximately 1,000 employees outside of the United States.
Culture
As a leader in hospitality, we recognize the critical role that service plays for our company. At Wyndham, our values underpin our inclusive culture, drive our growth, nurture innovation, and inspire the great experiences we create for team members and the people we serve. Our signature “Count on Me” service culture encourages each team member to be responsive, respectful, and deliver great experiences to our guests, partners, communities and each other. Our Count on Me promise aligns with our core values - integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, caring and fun - and is embedded and celebrated at all levels of our organization.
Ethical leadership starts with our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and is shared by senior management with every team member across every brand and business at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Our Business Principles guide our interactions and set the standard for how every one of us should approach our work in service to our mission. All team members are expected to embrace our shared values and principles and do their part in maintaining the highest ethical standards and behavior as we grow in communities worldwide.
Career Development
Our team members’ career development is key to our ability to attract, reward, and retain the best talent and a top priority at Wyndham. We actively seek to identify and develop talent throughout the organization and maintain a long-standing practice to support the growth and development of all our team members at every stage of their careers. We develop and curate various learning content in partnership with external providers to ensure that team members maintain the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to succeed. These experiences include on-the-job practice, coaching and counseling, effective performance appraisals and honest, timely feedback as well as a vast array of formal leadership programs. Wyndham University, our global learning system, provides our team members with access to a robust learning library that is flexible and accessible to help our team members learn, grow and thrive.
Team Engagement
We engage our team by fostering a supportive values-based culture and workplace. Our core values, grounded in caring, respect and fundamental human rights, infuse different perspectives that reflect our distinct customers, team members, and communities worldwide. While we continue to be recognized for our high level of engagement, we consistently encourage
open communication, collaboration and mutual respect among all team members. We bolster our efforts to recruit, retain and promote top-tier talent- all to inspire our people to contribute to meaningful change in our company, our industry, our communities and the world.
Wyndham has eight global enterprise resource groups (formerly affinity business groups). These groups serve as supportive networks, driving talent and leadership development and empowering team members to support the business, the communities in which we operate and each other. Members of our executive committee serve as sponsors of the enterprise resource groups.
Our company was named to the 2024 Top 50 Companies for Workplace Fairness by Fair360. We were further named to the Newsweek 2024 List of America’s Most Loved Workplaces for the fourth consecutive year and named one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in New Jersey by New Jersey Business Magazine for the fifth consecutive year. These accolades build on our growing resume of workplace awards.
Throughout our value chain, from team members, franchisees, partners and suppliers to the community and our guests, together we strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, inspired and highly engaged.
Wellness: Our “Be Well” Program
We are committed to offering programs that focus on the total well-being of all our team members. We also understand that nutrition, exercise, lifestyle management, physical, mental, and emotional wellness, financial health and the quality of the environment in which we work and live are also critical priorities for each of our team members. We believe that health and wellness promote both professional and personal productivity, achievement, and fulfillment, ultimately making us stronger across the organization. To encourage all our team members to lead healthier lifestyles while balancing family, work and other responsibilities, we offer several resources under our Be Well program, including both virtual and in-person wellness services, an onsite fitness facility and a Wyndham Relief Fund to help employees who are facing financial hardship.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are a basic right entitled to all. We remain committed to the well-being and safety of our team members, guests and all those that connect to our industry. In 2024, we continued to donate and encourage our team members and approximately 114 million enrolled Wyndham Rewards members to support humanitarian causes around the world.
We continue to partner with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (“AHLA”) and support the 5-Star Promise, a voluntary commitment to enhance policies, trainings, and resources for hotel employees and guests. We are dedicated to our team members’ safety and security, and we are proud to unite with our industry in support of a shared commitment to the incredible people who help make our guests’ travels memorable.
We, along with other leaders in our industry, remain committed to supporting our industry’s efforts to end human trafficking. We have worked to enhance our policies and mandated training for all our team members and franchisees to help them identify and report trafficking activities.
We are proud to work with a number of organizations including PACT, an organization whose mission is to protect every child’s human right to grow up free from the threat of sexual exploitation and trafficking, and Business Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), which offers training and support to help stop human trafficking.
We also support Polaris, a non-profit organization that spearheads the effort to fight against human trafficking and operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, to which Wyndham donates Wyndham Rewards points to provide victims with temporary safe housing. As part of our giving efforts, Wyndham Rewards and its members have donated over 200 million points since inception to various non-profit organizations, including organizations supporting humanitarian causes to redeem for travel and other related goods and services.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
As the world’s largest hotel franchising company, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the world and we take that opportunity seriously. We are committed to operating our business in a way that is socially, ethically and environmentally responsible. We engage team members, owners and operators around the world to uphold and leverage our core values to think globally and execute locally.
Through the Wyndham Green Program, we support franchisees by helping them to reduce operating costs through efficiency measures, drive revenue from environmentally conscious travelers, and remain competitive in the market, while
increasing brand loyalty. The Wyndham Green Program consists of our internal certification with best practices to address energy and water conservation, waste diversion, responsible purchasing, as well as guest, team member and franchisee education and engagement and other operational best practices, and an environmental management tool that tracks, measures and reports environmental performance data to help franchisees improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas or (“GHG”), emissions, conserve water, and reduce waste - thus minimizing environmental impact.
Our core values and the UN Sustainable Development Goals serve as a strategic guide for our approach to sustainability, which helps advance our company’s mission of making hotel travel possible for all. Our focus includes:
•Embarking on a long-term journey to help our franchisees reduce their GHG emissions in alignment with efforts to limit the rise in global temperatures in part by providing tools and best practices through our Wyndham Green Program.
•Promoting best practices around water conservation at these hotels through our Wyndham Green Program; supporting the access to clean water through our community partnerships; and reducing single-use plastics to promote clean waterways and oceans.
•Sharing best practices around waste diversion through our Wyndham Green Program to reduce waste sent to landfills and the environmental impact.
•Promoting and expanding best practices for biodiversity protection across Wyndham's franchised hotels; engaging with suppliers to make a meaningful impact to protect forests and biodiversity.
We remain committed to helping our franchisees reduce the energy, water and carbon footprint of their hotels as we work towards achieving our 2025 environmental targets. We continue to encourage and share opportunities to increase efficiencies and the usage of renewable energy where feasible with franchisees as we update our decarbonization plans with longer term targets in alignment with climate science.
We continually monitor and prioritize climate-related risks based on the financial and strategic impacts on our business. Enterprise risks, including those related to sustainability, climate and energy, are identified and assessed on an ongoing basis.
We review climate-related risks using the TCFD recommendations on an annual basis, which include both transition and physical risks. Some risks that we consider include:
•Current and emerging regulations, including those pertaining to climate-related risks and opportunities, energy efficiency, energy and GHG emissions reporting and green building codes and standards at the local, state, and national levels, are considered as risks for franchised businesses.
•Acute physical risks (extreme weather events), including hurricanes and wildfires, are increasing in frequency and can impact travel demand in specific markets, supply chains and cause physical damage to a franchisee's assets.
•Chronic physical risks, such as rising sea levels, rising mean temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns (including droughts) and extreme variability in weather patterns, can influence demand for travel and tourism in key markets adversely by decreasing revenue and/or causing property damage for franchisees.
Our business model is asset-light, which dramatically limits our capital needs and exposure to the effects of climate change while providing us the ability to mitigate and transfer some of the risks associated with physical risks to third parties. Many factors influence our reputation and the value of our hotel brands including the perception held by our guests, our franchisees, our other key stakeholders and the communities in which we do business. The environmental information that we provide is used to inform their purchasing decisions and can directly impact our revenue associated with both franchisee and management fees.
As more travelers are looking for environmentally-friendly lodging options, it is critical to position Wyndham-branded hotels optimally to provide environmentally responsible options and to make it simpler for our guests to locate and book stays with these types of hotels. Our 2024 ESG Report, which is available on our corporate website and not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, contains additional information regarding our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.
OUR HISTORY
Our business was initially incorporated as Hospitality Franchise Systems, Inc. in 1990 to acquire the Howard Johnson brand and the franchise rights to the Ramada brand in the United States. It was an integral part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and its predecessor from 1997 to 2018. Wyndham Hotels became an independent, public company in May 2018 when it was spun-off from Wyndham Worldwide, now known as Travel + Leisure Co. (“Travel + Leisure”).
COMPETITION
We encounter competition among hotel franchisors and lodging operators. We believe franchisees make decisions based principally upon the perceived value and quality of the brand and the services offered. We further believe that the perceived value of a brand name is partially a function of the success of the existing hotels franchised under the brand.
The ability of an individual franchisee to compete may be affected by the location and quality of its property, the number of competitors in the vicinity, community reputation and other factors. A franchisee’s success may also be affected by general, regional and local economic conditions. The potential effect of these conditions on our performance is substantially reduced by virtue of the diverse locations of our affiliated hotels and by the scale of our base. Our system is dispersed among approximately 6,200 franchisees, which reduces our exposure to any one franchisee. One master franchisor in China for the Super 8 brand accounts for 12% of our hotels. Apart from this relationship, no one franchisee accounts for more than 2% of our hotels.
SEASONALITY
While the hotel industry is seasonal in nature, periods of higher revenues vary property-by-property and performance is dependent on location and guest base. Based on historical performance, revenues from franchise contracts are generally higher in the second and third quarters than in the first or fourth quarters due to increased leisure travel during the spring and summer months. Our cash from operating activities may not necessarily follow the same seasonality as our revenues and may vary due to timing of working capital requirements and other investment activities. The seasonality of our business may cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, earnings, profit margins and cash flows. As we expand into new markets and geographical locations, we may experience increased or different seasonality dynamics that create fluctuations in operating results different from the fluctuations we have experienced in the past.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Wyndham Hotels owns the trademarks and other intellectual property rights related to our hotel brands, including the “Wyndham” trademark. We actively use, directly or through our licensees, these trademarks and other intellectual property rights. We operate in a highly competitive industry in which the trademarks and other intellectual property rights related to our hotel brands are very important to the marketing and sales of our services. We believe that our hotel brand names have come to represent high standards of quality, caring, service and value to our franchisees and guests. We register the trademarks we own in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well as with other relevant authorities, where we deem appropriate, and otherwise seek to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights from unauthorized use as permitted by law.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Our business is subject to various foreign and U.S. federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, our franchisees are subject to the local laws and regulations in each country in which such hotels are operated, including employment laws and practices, privacy laws and tax laws, which may provide for tax rates that vary from those of the United States and which may provide that our foreign earnings are subject to withholding requirements or other restrictions, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements or monetary policy and other potentially adverse tax consequences. Our franchisees and other aspects of our business are also subject to various foreign and U.S. federal and state laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar legislation in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States.
The Federal Trade Commission, various states and other foreign jurisdictions regulate the offer and sale of franchises. The Federal Trade Commission requires us to furnish to prospective franchisees a franchise disclosure document containing prescribed information prior to execution of a binding franchise agreement or payment of money by the prospective franchisee. State regulations also require franchisors to make extensive disclosure to prospective franchisees, and a number of states also require registration of the franchise disclosure document prior to sale of any franchise within the state. Non-compliance with disclosure and registration laws can affect the timing of our ability to sell franchises in these jurisdictions. Additionally, laws in many states and foreign jurisdictions also govern the franchise relationship, such as imposing limits on a franchisor’s ability to terminate franchise agreements or to withhold consent to the renewal or transfer of these agreements. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations has the potential to result in fines, injunctive relief, and/or payment of damages or restitution to individual franchisees or regulatory bodies, or negative publicity impairing our ability to sell franchises.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Geoffrey A. Ballotti, 63, serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer and member of our Board. From March 2014 to May 2018, Mr. Ballotti served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Hotel Group. From March 2008 to March 2014, Mr. Ballotti served as Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Destination Network. From October 2003 to March 2008, Mr. Ballotti was President of the North America Division of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. From 1989 to 2003, Mr. Ballotti held leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, including President of Starwood North America, Executive Vice President, Operations, Senior Vice President, Southern Europe and Managing Director, Ciga Spa, Italy. Prior to joining Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Mr. Ballotti was a Banking Officer in the Commercial Real Estate Group at the Bank of New England.
Michele Allen, 50, serves as our Chief Financial Officer and Head of Strategy. From December 2019 to February 2024, Ms. Allen served as our Chief Financial Officer. From May 2018 to December 2019, Ms. Allen served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer. From April 2015 to May 2018, Ms. Allen served as Senior Vice President of Finance for Wyndham Worldwide. From August 2006 to March 2015, Ms. Allen held leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Wyndham Hotel Group, including Senior Vice President of Finance and Controller. From 1999 to August 2006, Ms. Allen served in
positions of increasing responsibility at Wyndham Worldwide’s predecessor. Ms. Allen began her career as an independent auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Paul F. Cash, 55, serves as our General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary. From October 2017 to May 2018, Mr. Cash served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Wyndham Hotel Group. From April 2005 to September 2017, Mr. Cash served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel and in legal executive positions with increasing leadership responsibility for Wyndham Destination Network. From January 2003 to April 2005, Mr. Cash was a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions, International and Entertainment and New Media practice groups of Alston & Bird LLP and from February 1997 to December 2002 he was an associate at Alston & Bird LLP. From August 1995 until February 1997, Mr. Cash was an associate at the law firm Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster in Frankfurt, Germany.
Monica Melancon, 57, serves as our Chief Human Resource Officer. From March 2020 to February 2021, Ms. Melancon served as Group Vice President, Human Resources - Managed. Ms. Melancon joined Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in May 2018 and continued in her role as Vice President, Employee Relations following the Company’s acquisition of La Quinta in May 2018 where she had served in the same role from August 2016 to May 2018. Ms. Melancon previously served as Regional Employee Relations Manager of La Quinta from March 2015 to July 2016. Prior to joining La Quinta, Ms. Melancon served 15 years in various human resource positions of increasing responsibility at Target Corporation.
Nicola Rossi, 58, serves as our Chief Accounting Officer. From July 2006 to May 2018, Mr. Rossi served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for Wyndham Worldwide. Mr. Rossi was Vice President and Controller of Cendant’s Hotel Group from June 2004 to July 2006. From April 2002 to June 2004, Mr. Rossi served as Vice President, Corporate Finance for Cendant. From April 2000 to April 2002, Mr. Rossi was Corporate Controller and from June 1999 to March 2000 was Assistant Corporate Controller of Jacuzzi Brands, Inc. Mr. Rossi began his career as an independent auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Scott R. Strickland, 54, serves as our Chief Commercial Officer. From November 2023 to April 2024, Mr. Strickland served as our Chief Information and Distribution Officer. From May 2018 through November 2023, Mr. Strickland served as Chief Information Officer of the Company. From March 2017 to May 2018, Mr. Strickland served as Chief Information Officer of Wyndham Hotel Group. From November 2011 to March 2017, Mr. Strickland served as Chief Information Officer for Denon Marantz Electronics. From February 2005 to June 2010, Mr. Strickland served as Chief Information Officer for Black & Decker HHI. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Strickland served as an Associate Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider each of the following risk factors and all of the other information set forth in this report. Based on the information currently known to us, we believe that the following information identifies the most significant risk factors affecting our Company. However, the risks and uncertainties we face are not limited to those set forth in the risk factors described below. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to not presently create significant risk to us may also adversely affect our business. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of the following risks and/or uncertainties develop into actual events, these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
The lodging industry is highly competitive, and we are subject to risks related to competition that may adversely affect our performance and growth.
Our continued success depends upon our ability to compete effectively in markets that contain numerous competitors, some of whom may have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we have. We compete with other hotel franchisors for franchisees and we may not be able to grow our franchise system. New hotels may be constructed and these additions to supply create new competitors, in some cases without corresponding increases in demand for lodging. Competition may reduce fee structures, potentially causing us to lower our fees and/or offer other incentives, and may require us to offer terms to prospective franchisees less favorable to us than current franchise agreements, which may adversely impact our profits. Our franchisees also compete with alternative lodging channels, including third-party providers of short-term rental properties and serviced apartments, and vacation options, such as cruising. Increasing use of these alternative lodging channels or vacation options could adversely affect the occupancy and/or average rates at franchised hotels and our
revenues. The use of business models by competitors that are different from ours may require us to change our model so that we can remain competitive.
Declines in or disruptions to the travel and hotel industries may adversely affect us.
We face risks affecting the travel and hotel industries that include, but are not limited to: economic slowdown and potential recessionary pressures; economic factors such as inflation, rising interest rates, employment layoffs, increased costs of living and reduced discretionary income, which may adversely impact decisions by consumers and businesses to use travel accommodations; domestic unrest, terrorist incidents and threats and associated heightened travel security measures; political instability or political and regional strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East; acts of God such as earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, floods, volcanoes and other natural disasters; war; concerns with or threats of known and novel contagious diseases or health epidemics or pandemics; environmental disasters; lengthy power outages; cyber threats and attacks; increased pricing, financial instability and capacity constraints of air carriers; and job actions and strikes in the airline and hospitality industries generally. Increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and other consequences of climate change (including any related regulations) could impact travel demand generally, lead to supply chain interruptions, cause damage to physical assets or adversely impact the accessibility or desirability of travel to certain locations.
For example, certain of our franchisees’ properties are located in coastal areas that could be threatened should sea levels dramatically rise, or are located in areas where the risk of natural or climate-related disaster or other catastrophic losses exists, and the occurrence of such an event could cause substantial damage to our franchisees’ properties and/or the surrounding area. Because a significant portion of our revenues is derived from fees based on room revenues, disruptions at our franchised properties due to such occurrences may adversely impact the fees we collect from these properties. In the event of a substantial loss, the insurance coverage carried by our franchisees may not be sufficient to pay the full value of financial obligations, liabilities or the replacement cost of any lost investment or property held by our franchisees. Additionally, certain types of losses may be uninsurable or prohibitively expensive to insure, and other types of losses or risks that our franchisees may face could fall outside of the general coverage terms and limits of their policies. Such factors could lead to certain losses by our franchisees being completely uninsured in which case we could lose future fees we collect from these properties, may be exposed to a potential impairment of any development advance notes funded to the franchisee should the underlying guarantees provided to us prove to be insufficient and could result in unanticipated room terminations.
Any declines in or disruptions to the travel or hotel industries may adversely affect travel demand and the results of our operations, and those of our current franchised hotels and potential franchisees and developers. Any of these factors could increase our costs, reduce our revenues and otherwise adversely impact our profitability and/or opportunities for growth.
Third-party internet travel intermediaries and peer-to-peer online networks may adversely affect us.
Consumers use third-party internet travel intermediaries, including search engines, and peer-to-peer online networks to search for and book their lodging accommodations. As the percentage of internet reservations increases, travel intermediaries may be able to obtain higher commissions and reduced room rates to the detriment of our business. Additionally, such travel intermediaries may divert reservations away from our direct online channels or increase the overall cost of internet reservations for our affiliated hotels through their fees and a variety of online marketing methods, including the purchase by certain travel intermediaries of keywords consisting of or containing our hotel brands from Internet search engines to influence search results and direct guests to their websites. If we fail to reach satisfactory agreements with travel intermediaries, our affiliated hotels may not appear on their websites and we could lose business as a result. Further, travel intermediaries may seek to offer distribution services and/or rewards programs under their own brands directly to lodging accommodations in competition with our core franchise business and loyalty program.
Pandemics and other health crises could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The emergence, severity, magnitude and duration of global or regional health crises are uncertain and difficult to predict. A pandemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic which in the past had an adverse impact on our business, could again affect certain business operations, consumer demand in the hospitality industry, costs of doing business, availability of labor to us and our suppliers, access to inventory, supply chain operations, our ability to predict future performance, exposure to litigation, and our financial performance, among other things. Other factors and uncertainties related to potential pandemics and health crises include, but are not limited to:
•Evolving macroeconomic factors, including general economic uncertainty, unemployment rates, and recessionary pressures;
•Unknown consequences on our business performance and initiatives stemming from the substantial investment of time and other resources to the pandemic response;
•Potential government actions including, but not limited to, restrictions on travel and stay-in-place directives;
•The pace of post-pandemic recovery;
•The long-term impact of the pandemic on our business, including consumer behaviors; and
•Disruption and volatility within the financial and credit markets.
Risks Relating to Our Operations and Acquisitions
We are subject to business, financial, operating and other risks common to the hotel and hotel franchising industries which also affect our franchisees, any of which could reduce our revenues, limit our growth or otherwise impact our business.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from fees based on room revenues at hotels franchised under our brands. As such, our business is subject, directly or through our franchisees, to risks common in the hotel and hotel franchising industries, including risks related to:
•our ability to meet our objectives for growth in the number of our franchised hotels and hotel rooms in our franchise system and to retain and renew franchisee contracts, all on favorable terms;
•the number, occupancy and room rates of hotels operating under our franchise agreements;
•the delay of hotel openings in our pipeline;
•changes in the supply and demand for hotel rooms;
•increased pricing or supply chain disruptions for raw materials which could cause delays in the completion and development of new hotels;
•our ability to develop and maintain positive relations and contractual arrangements with current and potential franchisees under our franchise agreements and other third parties, including marketing alliances and affiliations with e-commerce channels;
•our franchisees’ pricing decisions;
•the quality of the services provided by franchisees and their investments in the maintenance and improvement of properties;
•the bankruptcy or insolvency of a significant number of our franchised hotels;
•the financial condition of franchisees, owners or other developers and the availability of financing to them;
•adverse events occurring at franchised hotel locations, including personal injuries, food tampering, contamination or the spread of illness, including through pandemics or other health crises;
•negative publicity, which could damage our hotel brands;
•our ability to successfully market our current or any future hotel brands and programs, including our rewards program, and to service or pilot new initiatives, including ancillary revenue growth initiatives;
•our relationship with certain multi-unit franchisees;
•changes in the laws, regulations, legislation and government spending affecting our business, internationally and domestically, including administration of, changes relating to, or our ability to capitalize on the government spend under the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, including as a result of any change in governing party;
•our failure to adequately protect and maintain our trademarks and other intellectual property rights;
•the relative mix of branded hotels in the various hotel industry price categories;
•corporate budgets and spending, and cancellations, deferrals or renegotiation of group business;
•seasonal or cyclical volatility in our business;
•operating costs, including as a result of inflation, energy costs and labor costs, such as minimum wage increases and unionization, workers’ compensation and healthcare related costs and insurance; and
•disputes, claims and litigation and other legal proceedings concerning our franchised hotels’ operations, including with consumers, government regulators, other businesses, franchisees, organized labor activities and class actions.
Any of these factors could reduce our revenues, increase our costs or otherwise limit our opportunities for growth.
Our international operations are subject to additional risks not generally applicable to our domestic operations.
Our international operations are subject to numerous risks including: exposure to local economic conditions; potential adverse changes in the diplomatic relations of foreign countries with the U.S.; hostility from local populations; political instability, including as a result of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East, respectively; trade disputes with trade partners, including China; potential military conflict resulting from escalating political tensions with Russia and China and other geopolitical risks; threats or acts of terrorism; the effect of disruptions caused by severe weather, natural disasters, outbreak of disease, such as pandemics or other health crises, or other events that make widespread travel or travel to a particular region less attractive or more difficult; the presence and acceptance of varying levels of business corruption in international markets; restrictions and taxes on the withdrawal of foreign investment and earnings; government policies against businesses or properties owned by foreigners; investment restrictions or requirements; diminished ability to legally enforce our contractual rights in foreign countries; forced nationalization of hotel properties by local, state or national governments; foreign exchange restrictions; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, including the negative impact of the weakening of foreign currencies in geographic regions in which we operate relative to the U.S.
dollar; our ability to, or our decision whether or not in particular instances to, hedge against foreign currency effects, and whether we are successful in any such hedging transactions; the ability to comply with or the effect of complying with new and developing laws, regulations and policies of foreign governments, including with respect to climate change, data protection and privacy; conflicts between local laws and U.S. laws, including laws that impact our rights to protect our intellectual property; withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries; and changes in and application of foreign taxation structures including value added taxes. Any adverse outcome resulting from the financial instability or performance of foreign economies, the instability of other currencies and the related volatility on foreign exchange and interest rates could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are dependent on our senior management and the loss of any member of our senior management could harm our business.
We believe that our future growth depends in part on the continued services of our senior management team. Losing the services of any member of our senior management team could adversely affect our strategic relationships and impede our ability to execute our business strategies. The market for qualified individuals may be highly competitive and finding and recruiting suitable replacements for senior management may be difficult, time-consuming and costly. While we have updated our policies and practices to provide more flexibility for remote work, we may experience increased attrition of employees to other opportunities as a result of a competitive labor market and, particularly as certain employees may seek more flexible work alternatives than we offer, may seek positions with companies outside of the geographic area in which they live that offer remote work opportunities, or may decide to scale back their work life for personal reasons. If we are unable to retain our personnel, particularly our senior management team, our business could be harmed.
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions may not prove successful and could result in operating difficulties and failure to realize anticipated benefits.
We regularly consider a wide array of acquisitions and other potential strategic transactions, including acquisitions of hotel brands, businesses and real property, joint ventures, business combinations, strategic investments and dispositions. Any of these transactions could be material to our business. We often compete for these opportunities with third parties, which may cause us to lose potential opportunities or to pay more than we may otherwise have paid absent such competition. We may not be able to identify and consummate strategic transactions and opportunities on favorable terms and any such strategic transactions or opportunities, if consummated, may not be successful.
Risks Relating to Our Relationships with Third Parties
Our license and other fees could be impacted by any softness in Travel + Leisure’s sales of vacation ownership interests.
In connection with our 2018 spin-off (the “Spin-Off”) from Wyndham Worldwide, now known as Travel + Leisure Co., we entered into a number of agreements with Travel + Leisure that govern our ongoing relationship with Travel + Leisure. Our success depends, in part, on the maintenance of our ongoing relationship with Travel + Leisure, Travel + Leisure’s performance of its obligations under these agreements and continued strategic focus on sales of vacation ownership interests, including Travel + Leisure’s maintenance of the quality of products and services it sells under the “Wyndham” trademark and certain other trademarks and intellectual property that we license to Travel + Leisure. Under the License, Development and Noncompetition Agreement, Travel + Leisure pays us significant royalties and other fees based on the volume of Travel + Leisure’s sales of vacation ownership interests and other vacation products and services. If Travel + Leisure is unable to compete effectively for sales of vacation ownership interests, our royalty fees under such agreement could be adversely impacted. If we are unable to maintain a good relationship with Travel + Leisure, or if Travel + Leisure does not perform its obligations under these agreements, fails to maintain the quality of the products and services it sells under the “Wyndham” trademark and certain other trademarks or fails to pay such royalties, our earnings could decrease.
Risks Relating to Regulation and Technology
Our operations are subject to extensive regulation and the cost of compliance or failure to comply with regulations may adversely affect us.
Our operations are regulated by federal, state and local governments in the countries in which we operate. In addition, U.S. and international federal, state and local regulators may enact new laws and regulations that may reduce our profits or require us to modify our business practices substantially. If we are not in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including, among others, those governing franchising, hotel operations, lending, information security, data protection and privacy (such as the General Data Protection Regulation, U.S. State privacy laws, the Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China or similar laws or regulations), credit card security standards, marketing, including sales, consumer protection and advertising, unfair and deceptive trade practices, fraud, bribery and corruption, licensing, labor, employment, anti-discrimination, health care, health and safety, accessibility, immigration, gaming, environmental,
intellectual property, securities, stock exchange listing, accounting, tax and regulations applicable under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Sherman Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local equivalents in international jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom Bribery Act, we may be subject to regulatory investigations or actions, fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, injunctions and potential criminal prosecution. Changes to such laws and regulations and the cost of compliance or failure to comply with such regulations may adversely affect us.
Additionally, some jurisdictions are considering or have undertaken actions to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, energy consumption reporting and green building codes. Such actions could affect the operation of our franchisees’ properties and result in increased capital expenditures, such as those used to improve the energy efficiency of properties. The cost of such governmental actions would depend upon the specific requirements and may impact our financial condition, results of operations or ability to compete.
Failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable and proprietary information, non-compliance with our contractual obligations regarding such information or a violation of our privacy and security policies or processes with respect to such information could adversely affect us.
In connection with our business, we and our service providers collect, use and store large volumes of certain types of personal and proprietary information pertaining to guests, franchisees, stockholders and employees. Such information includes, but is not limited to, large volumes of guest credit and payment card information. We are at risk of attack by cybercriminals operating on a global basis attempting to gain access to such information. In connection with data security incidents involving a group of Wyndham brand hotels that occurred between 2008 and 2010, one of our subsidiaries is subject to a stipulated order with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), pursuant to which, among other things, it must meet certain requirements for reasonable data security as outlined in the stipulated order.
While we maintain what we believe are reasonable security controls over personal and proprietary information as part of our risk assessment program in an effort to protect, detect, respond to, and minimize or prevent risks and to enhance the resiliency of our information technology systems, a breach of or breakdown in our systems could result in operating failures, unauthorized access, service interruptions or failures, security breaches, malicious intrusions, theft, exfiltration, ransomware, cyber-attacks, or other compromises of our systems that result in the unauthorized release of personal or proprietary information. Such breach could have a material adverse effect on our hotel brands, reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant fines, litigation, losses, third-party damages and other liabilities, or our subsidiary could fail to comply with the stipulated order with the FTC. We may face increased cybersecurity risks due to our increasing reliance on internet technology and the number of our employees who are working remotely, which may create additional opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. Cybercriminal “hacker” activity has increased in sophistication, duration and frequency since 2020 and poses additional risks.
Data breaches, viruses, ransomware, worms, malicious software, and other serious cyber incidents have increased globally, along with the methods, techniques and complexity of attacks, including efforts to discover and exploit any design flaws, bugs or other security vulnerabilities. Additionally, continued geopolitical turmoil, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East, respectively, has heightened the risk of cyber-attacks. We have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to such cyber-attacks. Also, the same cyber security issues exist for the third parties with whom we interact and share information, and cyber-attacks on third parties which possess or use our guest, personnel and other information could adversely impact us in the same way as would a direct cyber-attack on us. Although we do not believe we have incurred any ongoing material adverse impact on our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition as a result of any present or recent cyber-attack, there is no guarantee that cyber-attacks have not gone generally undetected or without general recognition of magnitude or will not occur in the future, any of which could materially adversely affect our brands, reputation, consumer confidence in us, costs and profitability. In addition, the security measures we deploy are not perfect or impenetrable, and we may be unable to anticipate or prevent all unauthorized access attempts made on our systems or those of our third-party service providers.
Additionally, the legal and regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy in the U.S. and international jurisdictions is constantly evolving, including recent developments and complexities with regard to requirements for the cross-border transfer of personal information due to emerging laws, regulations and judicial decisions (such as cross-border data transfer regulations issued by the People’s Republic of China authorities). Other jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions or requirements on cross-border transfers including limitations on transferring data beyond the originating country. Violation or non-compliance with any of these laws or regulations, contractual requirements relating to data security and privacy, or with our own privacy and security policies or processes, either intentionally or unintentionally, or through the acts of intermediaries could have a material adverse effect on our hotel brands, reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant fines, litigation, losses, third-party damages and other liabilities. While we maintain cyber risk insurance, in the event of a significant security or data breach, this insurance may not cover all of the losses (including but not limited to financial, operational, legal, business or reputational losses) that we may suffer and may result in increased cost or impact the future availability of coverage.
We rely on information technologies and systems to operate our business, which involves reliance on third-party service providers and on uninterrupted operation of service facilities.
We rely on information technologies and systems to operate our business, which involves reliance on third-party service providers (including cloud-based service providers), such as Sabre Corporation and its SynXis Platform and Oracle Hospitality, and uninterrupted operations of our and third-party service facilities, including those used for reservation systems, hotel/property management, communications, procurement, call centers, operation of our loyalty program and administrative systems. We and our vendors also maintain physical facilities to support these systems and related services. As a result, in addition to failures that occur from time to time in the ordinary course of business, we and our vendors may be vulnerable to system failures, computer hacking, cyber-terrorism, computer viruses and other intentional or unintentional interference, negligence, fraud, misuse and other unauthorized attempts to access or interfere with these systems and our personal and proprietary information. The increased scope and complexity of our information technology infrastructure and systems could contribute to the potential risk of security breaches or breakdown. Any natural disaster, disruption or other impairment in our technology capabilities and service facilities or those of our vendors could adversely affect our business. In addition, failure to keep pace with developments in technology could impair our operations or competitive position.
We may use artificial intelligence in our business, and challenges with properly managing its use could result in reputational harm, competitive harm, and legal liability, and adversely affect our results of operations.
We may incorporate artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions into our business, offerings, services and features, and these applications may become important in our operations over time. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI into their products more quickly or more successfully than us, which could impair our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, if the content, analyses, or recommendations that AI applications assist in producing are or are alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, or biased, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected. The use of AI applications may result in cybersecurity incidents that implicate the personal data of end users of such applications. Any such cybersecurity incidents related to our use of AI applications could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations. AI also presents emerging ethical issues and if our use of AI becomes controversial, we may experience brand or reputational harm, competitive harm, or legal liability. The rapid evolution of AI, including potential future regulation of AI, may also result in additional costs associated with compliance with emerging regulations. This evolution, including potential government regulation of AI, may require significant resources to develop, test and maintain our business, offerings, services, and features to help us implement AI ethically in order to minimize unintended, harmful impact.
Risks Relating to Our Tax Treatment and Indebtedness
Changes in U.S. federal, state and local or foreign tax law, interpretations of existing tax law or adverse determinations by tax authorities could increase our tax burden or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.
We are subject to taxation at the federal, state and local levels in the U.S. and various other countries and jurisdictions. Our future effective tax rate and cash flows could be affected by changes in the composition of earnings in jurisdictions with differing tax rates, changes in statutory rates and other legislative changes, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in determinations regarding the jurisdictions in which we are subject to tax and our ability to repatriate earnings from foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, U.S. federal, state and local and foreign governments make substantive changes to tax rules and their application, which could result in materially higher corporate taxes than would be incurred under existing tax law and could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. We are subject to ongoing and periodic tax audits and disputes in U.S. federal and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. An unfavorable outcome from any tax audit could result in higher tax costs, penalties and interest, thereby adversely affecting our financial condition or results of operations.
In addition, we are directly and indirectly affected by new tax legislation and regulation and the interpretation of tax laws and regulations worldwide. Changes in such legislation, regulation or interpretation could increase our taxes and have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. This includes potential changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws arising out of the Base Erosion Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) project initiated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”). In July and October of 2021, the OECD/G-20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS released statements outlining a political agreement on the general rules to be adopted for taxing the digital economy, specifically with respect to nexus and profit allocation (Pillar One) and rules for a global minimum tax (Pillar Two). On December 15, 2022, the European Union Member States formally adopted the European Union’s Pillar Two Directive with effective dates of January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 for certain aspects of the directive. The Pillar Two directive has been implemented or is expected to be implemented via domestic legislation of countries or via international treaties. The enactment could have a material impact on our effective tax rate or result in higher cash tax liabilities. There can be no assurance that our tax payments, tax credits or incentives will not be adversely affected by these or other initiatives.
We are subject to risks related to our debt, hedging transactions, our extension of credit and the cost and availability of capital.
As of December 31, 2024, we had aggregate outstanding debt of $2,463 million. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which may magnify the potential impacts of the risks related to our debt. Our debt instruments contain restrictions, covenants and events of default that, among other things, could limit our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions; take advantage of business opportunities; incur or guarantee additional debt; pay dividends or make distributions or repurchases; make investments or acquisitions; sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of certain assets; create liens; consolidate or merge; enter into transactions with affiliates; and prepay and repurchase or redeem certain indebtedness. Failure to meet our payment obligations or comply with other financial covenants could result in a default and acceleration of the underlying debt and under other debt instruments that contain cross-default provisions.
In order to reduce or hedge our financial exposure to the effects of currency and interest rate fluctuations, we may use financial instruments, such as hedging transactions. Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our financing costs and/or change the market value of our hedging transactions. Any failure or non-performance of counterparties under our hedging transactions could result in losses. Changes in interest rates may also adversely change the market value of our hedging transactions and may adversely affect financing costs. While a significant portion of our debt is effectively at a fixed rate of interest and our nearest maturity is not until 2027, a significant increase in financing cost due to increased interest rates may hinder our efforts to expand our franchisee footprint, which could adversely affect our cash flows and business.
In addition, we extend credit to assist franchisees in converting to, or building a new hotel under, one of our hotel brands through development advance notes and mezzanine or other forms of subordinated financing and we have a program that guarantees a portion of loans taken by franchisees for certain new construction projects. The inability of franchisees to pay back such loans could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We may need to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flows to the payment of principal and interest. Our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or general corporate or other purposes may be limited, and we may be unable to renew or refinance our debt on terms as favorable as our existing debt or at all. Additionally, certain market liquidity factors, including uncertainty or volatility in the equity and credit markets, outside of our control could affect our access to credit and capital in the future and adversely impact our business plans and operating model. Our credit rating and the market value of our common stock could also be affected. While we believe we have adequate sources of liquidity to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, debt service and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future, if we are unable to refinance or repay our outstanding debt when due, our results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.
Changes to estimates or projections used to assess the fair value of our assets or operating results that are lower than our current estimates may cause us to incur additional impairment losses and require us to write-off all or a portion of the remaining value of our goodwill or other intangibles of companies we have acquired.
Our total assets include goodwill and other intangible assets. We evaluate our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or at other times during the year if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value is below the carrying value. We may be required to record significant non-cash impairment charges in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets or other assets is determined, which would negatively impact our results of operations and stockholders’ equity.
Risks Relating to Litigation, Reputation and Insurance
We are subject to risks related to litigation.
We are subject to a number of disputes, claims, litigation and other legal proceedings as described in this report, and any unfavorable rulings or outcomes in current or future litigation and other legal proceedings may materially harm our business. For additional information, see our Commitments and Contingencies note (Note 13) in the notes to our financial statements.
We are subject to risks related to human trafficking allegations.
Our business, along with the hospitality industry generally, faces risk that could cause damage to our reputation and the value of our hotel brands due to claims related to purported incidents of human trafficking. Along with many of our competitors, we and/or certain of our subsidiaries have been named as defendants in litigation matters filed in state and federal courts (and incurred litigation-related fees and costs), alleging statutory and common law claims arising from purported incidents of human trafficking perpetrated by third parties at certain franchised facilities and hotels once managed by certain of our subsidiaries. Due to the cadence of litigation filings, dismissals and settlements, including litigants attempting to preserve claims by filing within applicable statutory limitations periods, the number of pending matters may
fluctuate from time to time. For additional information, see our Commitments and Contingencies note (Note 13) in the notes to our financial statements.
The insurance we carry may not always pay, or be sufficient to pay or reimburse us, for our liabilities, losses or replacement costs.
We carry insurance for general liability, property, business interruption and other insurable risks with respect to our business and franchised hotels. We also self-insure for certain risks up to certain monetary limits. The insurance coverage we carry, subject to our deductible, may not be sufficient to pay or reimburse us for the amount of our liabilities, losses or replacement costs, and there may also be risks for which we do not obtain insurance in the full amount, or some amount, or at all concerning a potential loss or liability, due to the cost or availability of such insurance. As a result, we may incur liabilities or losses in the operation of our business that are not sufficiently covered by the insurance we maintain, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and Corporate Governance
The market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate.
The market price for our common stock, and the market price of stock of other companies operating in the hospitality industry, has been highly volatile. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the trading price of our common stock ranged between a low sales price of $67.67 and a high sales price of $105.16. The market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including pandemics or other health crises, our ability to achieve growth and performance objectives, the success or failure of our business strategy, stockholder activism or unsolicited takeover proposals or proxy contests, general economic conditions, our quarterly or annual earnings and those of other companies in our industry, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, changes in laws and regulations, political instability, increased competition and changes affecting the travel industry and other events impacting our business. The stock market in general has experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Certain of our Directors and executive officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their current positions at Travel + Leisure or their ownership of Travel + Leisure equity.
Two of our Directors serve on the Travel + Leisure board of directors and certain of our executive officers and non-employee Directors own shares of Travel + Leisure common stock. This could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when our or Travel + Leisure’s management, officers and directors face decisions that could have different implications for us and Travel + Leisure.
We are subject to risks related to environmental, social and governance activities.
Our business, along with the hospitality industry generally, faces scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance activities and the risk of damage to our reputation and the value of our hotel brands if we fail to act responsibly or comply with new or existing regulatory requirements in a number of areas, such as safety and security, responsible tourism, environmental stewardship, responsible sourcing, supply chain management, climate change, human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, philanthropy and support for local communities. We have experienced and may continue to experience increased pressure from our stakeholders to provide additional transparency and to establish commitments, goals or targets with respect to various environmental, social and governance related issues and to act to meet those commitments, goals and targets. Our stakeholders may not agree with our strategies on these issues, and any perception that we have failed to achieve or to act responsibly with respect to such matters may adversely affect our reputation amongst our stakeholders and may affect our guests’ travel choices and directly impact our revenue.
We are subject to risks related to stockholder activism or an unsolicited takeover proposal or a proxy contest.
In recent years, proxy contests and other forms of stockholder activism have been directed against numerous public companies. We recently defended against an unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt, which required us to incur significant expenses and costs and was a distraction for our Board, management and team members. If such a proposal were to be made again, similar distractions and additional significant costs may occur, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Stockholder activists may also seek to involve themselves in our governance, strategic direction and operations through stockholder proposals or otherwise. Such proposals could result in substantial cost and divert our attention and resources from our business and our ability to execute our strategic objectives. Additionally, shareholder activism could give rise to
perceived uncertainties as to our future, adversely affect our relationships with franchisees or make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified team members.
Provisions in our corporate governance documents and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our business, which could decrease the market price of our common stock.
Our corporate governance documents and Delaware law contain provisions that are intended to deter or delay coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids, including requiring advance notice for stockholder proposals, placing limitations on convening stockholder meetings and authorizing our Board to issue one or more series of preferred stock. Additionally, Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. These provisions may prevent or delay an acquisition that some stockholders may consider beneficial, which could decrease the market price of our common stock.
Our third amended and restated by-laws designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders and the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our Directors or employees.
Our third amended and restated by-laws provide that, subject to limited exceptions, (1) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for derivative actions; claims related to a breach of a fiduciary duty, corporate law, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended or our third amended and restated by-laws, as amended; or under the internal affairs doctrine; and (2) the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause or causes of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant to such complaint. We believe these provisions may benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law and federal securities laws by chancellors and judges, as applicable, particularly experienced in resolving corporate disputes, efficient administration of cases on a more expedited schedule relative to other forums and protection against the burdens of multi-forum litigation. However, these choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our current or former Directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our third amended and restated by-laws inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and Board.
We may not continue to pay dividends on, or effect repurchases of, our common stock, and the terms of our indebtedness or applicable law could limit our ability to pay dividends on or effect repurchases of our common stock.
The declaration and payment of dividends and share repurchases are at the sole discretion of our Board and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions under our indebtedness, limitations under applicable law and other factors that our Board may deem relevant. Though we expect to make regular dividends, there can be no assurance that a payment of a dividend will occur in the future.
Risks Relating to the Spin-Off and Related Transactions
In connection with the Spin-Off and Travel + Leisure’s sale of its European vacation rentals business, we agreed to indemnify Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities, including taxes, and if we are required to perform under these indemnities or if Travel + Leisure is unable to satisfy its obligations under these indemnities, our financial results could be negatively affected.
In connection with the Spin-Off and Travel + Leisure’s sale of its European vacation rentals business, we agreed to indemnify Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities, including taxes, and if we are required to perform under these indemnities or if Travel + Leisure is unable to satisfy its obligations under these indemnities, our financial results could be negatively affected. Additionally, the contingent liabilities we assumed in connection with the Spin-Off and Travel + Leisure’s sale of its European vacation rentals business could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition as a result of our indemnification obligations. Should our indemnification obligations exceed applicable insurance coverage, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Additionally, the indemnities from Travel + Leisure may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of these and other liabilities. Third parties also could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that Travel + Leisure has agreed to assume. Even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Travel + Leisure any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear those losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code, then our stockholders, we and Travel + Leisure might be required to pay substantial U.S. federal income taxes.
The Spin-Off was conditioned upon Travel + Leisure’s receipt of opinions of its Spin-Off tax advisors to the effect that, subject to the assumptions and limitations described in the opinions, the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, would qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a) (1)(D) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in which no gain or loss would be recognized by Travel + Leisure or its stockholders, except, in the case of Travel + Leisure stockholders, for cash received in lieu of fractional shares, which opinions were delivered on the closing date of the Spin-Off. The opinions of the Spin-Off tax advisors are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or a court, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the validity of the Spin- Off and such related transactions as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code eligible for tax-free treatment, or that any such challenge ultimately will not prevail.
In addition, Travel + Leisure received certain rulings from the IRS regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of transactions related to the Spin-Off. Although the IRS Ruling generally is binding on the IRS, the continued validity of the IRS Ruling is based upon and subject to the continuing accuracy of factual statements and representations made to the IRS by Travel + Leisure. If the Spin-Off does not qualify as a tax-free transaction for any reason, including as a result of a breach of a representation or covenant with respect to such tax opinions or the IRS Ruling, Travel + Leisure would recognize a substantial gain attributable to our hotel business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such case, under U.S. Treasury regulations, each member of the Travel + Leisure consolidated group at the time of the Spin-Off, including us and certain of our subsidiaries, would be jointly and severally liable for the entire resulting amount of any U.S. federal income tax liability.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate headquarters is located at 22 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey. In 2024, we purchased the property that was previously leased. We also lease space for our reservation center and data warehouse in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada pursuant to a lease that expires in 2029. In addition, we have an additional 12 leases for office space in 11 countries outside the United States. We will evaluate the need to renew each lease on a case-by-case basis prior to its expiration.
We believe our current owned and leased properties are adequate to support our existing operations.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are involved in various claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries arising in the ordinary course of business, none of which, in the opinion of management, is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. See Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part IV of this report for a description of claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
MARKET PRICE OF COMMON STOCK
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “WH”. As of January 31, 2025, the number of stockholders of record was 4,036.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We declared cash dividends of $0.38 per share in each of the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2024 ($123 million in aggregate).
The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock is at the discretion of our Board and depends upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business, covenants associated with certain debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that our Board deems relevant.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
In May 2018, our Board approved a share repurchase plan pursuant to which we were authorized to purchase up to $300 million of our common stock. Our Board has increased the capacity of the program by $300 million in 2019, $800 million in 2022, $400 million in 2023 and $400 million in 2024. The share repurchase plan has no termination date. Below is a monthly summary of our common stock repurchases, excluding excise taxes and fees, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024:
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under Plan
October 221,989 $ 81.53 221,989 $ 542,279,202
November 22,216 90.02 22,216 540,279,373
December 25,208 99.98 25,208 537,758,961
Total 269,413 $ 83.95 269,413 $ 537,758,961
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock against the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines Index (consisting of Booking Holdings Inc., Carnival Corporation & plc, Expedia Group, Inc., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Marriott International, Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.) for the period from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2024. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2019 (the first day of regular-way trading) and all dividends and other distributions were reinvested. The Stock Performance Graph is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any of our prior or future filings made with the SEC.
Cumulative Total Return
December 31,
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. $ 100.00 $ 95.92 $ 146.38 $ 118.50 $ 136.20 $ 173.92
S&P 500 $ 100.00 $ 118.40 $ 152.39 $ 124.79 $ 157.59 $ 197.02
S&P Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines $ 100.00 $ 74.12 $ 88.83 $ 67.29 $ 111.92 $ 147.93

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Reserved.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in millions, except share and per share amounts)
References herein to “Wyndham Hotels,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The Company is a leading global hotel franchisor, licensing its renowned hotel brands to hotel owners in over 95 countries around the world.
Our primary segment is hotel franchising which principally consists of licensing our lodging brands and providing related services to third-party hotel owners and others.
Beginning with the first quarter of 2023, as a result of the changes in our Hotel Management segment including the exit from the select-service management business, the sale of our two owned hotels and the exit from substantially all of its U.S. full-service management business, the Hotel Management segment no longer met the quantitative thresholds to be disclosed as a reportable segment. As a result, we aggregated, on a prospective basis, the remaining hotel management business, which is predominately the full-service international managed business within our Hotel Franchising segment.
The Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein have been prepared on a stand-alone basis. The Consolidated Financial Statements include our assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows and all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected historical consolidated statement of income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 and the selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts included elsewhere in this report. The selected historical consolidated statement of income/(loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the selected historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are derived from audited consolidated financial statements of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts businesses that are not included in this report.
The selected historical consolidated financial data below should be read together with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, including the notes thereto and the other financial information included elsewhere in this report.
As of or For the Year Ended December 31,
($ in millions, except per share amounts and RevPAR) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Statement of Income/(Loss) data:
Revenues
Fee-related and other revenues $ 1,404 $ 1,384 $ 1,354 $ 1,245 $ 950
Cost reimbursement revenues 4 13 144 320 350
Net revenues 1,408 1,397 1,498 1,565 1,300
Expenses
Marketing, reservation and loyalty expense 564 569 524 450 419
Cost reimbursement expense 4 13 144 320 350
Other expenses 345 312 272 349 577
Total expenses 913 894 940 1,119 1,346
Operating income/(loss) 495 503 558 446 (46)
Interest expense, net 124 102 80 93 112
Early extinguishment of debt 3 3 2 18 -
Income/(loss) before income taxes 368 398 476 335 (158)
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes 79 109 121 91 (26)
Net income/(loss) $ 289 $ 289 $ 355 $ 244 $ (132)
Per share data:
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share $ 3.61 $ 3.41 $ 3.91 $ 2.60 $ (1.42)
Cash dividends declared per share 1.52 1.40 1.28 0.88 0.56
Balance Sheet data:
Cash $ 103 $ 66 $ 161 $ 171 $ 493
Total assets (a)
4,223 4,033 4,123 4,269 4,644
Total debt (a)
2,463 2,201 2,077 2,084 2,597
Total liabilities (a)
3,573 3,287 3,161 3,180 3,681
Total stockholders’ equity 650 746 962 1,089 963
Other financial data:
Royalties and franchise fees $ 555 $ 532 $ 512 $ 461 $ 328
License and other fees 119 112 100 79 84
Total adjusted EBITDA (b)(c)
694 659 650 590 336
Operating statistics:
Total Company
Number of properties (d)
9,286 9,178 9,059 8,950 8,941
Number of rooms (e)
903,000 871,800 842,500 810,100 795,900
RevPAR (f)
$ 42.91 $ 43.10 $ 41.88 $ 35.95 $ 24.51
Average royalty rate (g)
3.95 % 3.89 % 3.94 % 4.06 % 3.97 %
United States
Number of properties (d)
5,979 6,036 6,081 6,139 6,175
Number of rooms (e)
501,800 497,600 493,800 490,600 487,300
RevPAR (f)
$ 50.37 $ 50.42 $ 50.72 $ 45.19 $ 30.20
Average royalty rate (g)
4.69 % 4.59 % 4.62 % 4.62 % 4.52 %
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(a) Reflects the impact of the adoption of the new accounting standard in 2020 for the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments.
(b) “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as net income/(loss) excluding net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, early extinguishment of debt charges, impairment charges, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, separation-related items, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition-, or debt-related), (gain)/loss on asset sales, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and development advance notes amortization. We believe that adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of performance and, when considered with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) measures, gives a more complete understanding of our operating performance. We use this measure internally to assess operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures of financial performance or liquidity derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company modified the definition of adjusted EBITDA to exclude the amortization of development advance notes
to reflect how the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews operating performance beginning in 2021. The Company has applied the modified definition of adjusted EBITDA to all periods presented.
(c) The reconciliation of net income/(loss) to adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 (a)
Net income/(loss) $ 289 $ 289 $ 355 $ 244 $ (132)
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes 79 109 121 91 (26)
Depreciation and amortization 71 76 77 95 98
Interest expense, net 124 102 80 93 112
Early extinguishment of debt 3 3 2 18 -
Stock-based compensation expense 41 39 33 28 19
Development advance notes amortization 24 15 12 11 9
Transaction-related 47 11 - - 12
Restructuring costs 15 - - - 34
Impairments, net 12 - - 6 206
Separation-related (11) 1 1 3 2
Gain on asset sale, net - - (35) - -
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries - 14 4 1 2
Adjusted EBITDA $ 694 $ 659 $ 650 $ 590 $ 336
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(a) Adjusted EBITDA has been recasted to conform with the current year presentation. Amounts may not foot due to rounding.
(d) Represents the number of affiliated hotels at the end of the period.
(e) Represents the number of rooms at the end of the period which are (i) either under franchise and/or management agreements and (ii) properties under affiliation agreements for which the Company receives a fee for reservation and/or other services provided.
(f) Represents revenue per available room and is calculated by multiplying the average occupancy rate by the average daily rate.
(g) Represents the average royalty rate earned on our franchised properties and is calculated by dividing total royalties, excluding the impact of amortization of development advance notes, by total room revenues.
In presenting the financial data above in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources-Critical Accounting Policies,” for a detailed discussion of the accounting policies that we believe require subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussed below are our key operating statistics, consolidated results of operations and the results of operations for our reportable segment. The reportable segment presented below represents our operating segment for which discrete financial information is available and used on a regular basis by our chief operating decision maker to assess performance and to allocate resources. In identifying our reportable segment, we also consider the nature of services provided by our operating segment. Management evaluates the operating results of our reportable segment based upon net revenues and adjusted EBITDA. Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA, Corporate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are defined as net income/(loss) excluding net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, early extinguishment of debt charges, impairment charges, restructuring and related charges, contract termination costs, separation-related items, transaction-related items (acquisition-, disposition-, or debt-related), (gain)/loss on asset sales, foreign currency impacts of highly inflationary countries, stock-based compensation expense, income taxes and development advance notes amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is reported on a consolidated basis, as Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA and corporate adjusted EBITDA are reported at a segment level. We believe that Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA, Corporate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are useful measures of performance and, when considered with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) measures, gives a more complete understanding of our operating performance. We use this measure internally to assess operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA, Corporate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures of financial performance or liquidity derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of Hotel Franchising adjusted EBITDA, Corporate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
We generate royalties and franchise fees, management fees and other revenues from hotel franchising and hotel management activities, as well as fees from licensing our “Wyndham” trademark, certain other trademarks and intellectual property. In addition, pursuant to our franchise and management contracts with third-party hotel owners, we generate
marketing, reservation and loyalty fee revenues and cost reimbursement revenues that over time are offset, respectively, by the marketing, reservation and loyalty costs and property operating costs that we incur.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes a discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 in Item 7 of Part II, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
OPERATING STATISTICS - 2024 VS. 2023
The table below presents our operating statistics for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. “Rooms” represent the number of hotel rooms at the end of the period which are either under franchise and/or management agreements and properties under affiliation agreements for which we receive a fee for reservation and/or other services provided. “RevPAR” represents revenue per available room and is calculated by multiplying average occupancy rate by average daily rate. “Average royalty rate” represents the average royalty rate earned on our franchised properties and is calculated by dividing total royalties, excluding the impact of amortization of development advance notes, by total room revenues. These operating statistics are drivers of our revenues and therefore provide an enhanced understanding of our business. Refer to the section below for a discussion as to how these operating statistics affected our business for the periods presented.
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Change
Rooms
United States
501,800 497,600 1 %
International
401,200 374,200 7 %
Total rooms
903,000 871,800 4 %
RevPAR
United States
$ 50.37 $ 50.42 - %
International (a)
33.59 33.21 1 %
Global RevPAR (a)
42.91 43.10 - %
Average Royalty Rate
United States
4.69 % 4.59 % 10 bps
International
2.49 % 2.37 % 12 bps
Global average royalty rate
3.95 % 3.89 % 6 bps
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(a)Excluding currency effects, international RevPAR increased 8% and global RevPAR increased 2%.
Rooms as of December 31, 2024 increased 4% compared to the prior year, driven by 1% growth in the U.S. and 7% growth internationally. As expected, these increases included 4% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S., along with 7% combined growth in our higher RevPAR EMEA and Latin America regions.
Excluding currency effects, global RevPAR for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased 2% compared to the prior year, including flat RevPAR in the U.S. due to stable occupancy and rate, and 8% growth internationally driven by sustained pricing power.
Global average royalty rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 3.95%. Global average royalty rate increased 6 basis points compared to the prior year, including 10 basis points in the U.S. and 12 basis points internationally.
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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 VS. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Change
% Change
Revenues
Fee-related and other revenues $ 1,404 $ 1,384 $ 20 1 %
Cost reimbursement revenues 4 13 (9) (69 %)
Net revenues 1,408 1,397 11 1 %
Expenses
Marketing, reservation and loyalty expense 564 569 (5) (1 %)
Cost reimbursement expense 4 13 (9) (69 %)
Other expenses
345 312 33 11 %
Total expenses 913 894 19 2 %
Operating income 495 503 (8) (2 %)
Interest expense, net
124 102 22 22 %
Early extinguishment of debt 3 3 - - %
Income before income taxes 368 398 (30) (8 %)
Provision for income taxes
79 109 (30) (28 %)
Net income
$ 289 $ 289 $ - - %
Net revenues during 2024 increased by $11 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year primarily driven by:
•$23 million of higher royalty and franchise fees primarily due to net room growth, as well as increased royalty rates and franchise fees; and
•$16 million of higher license and other ancillary revenues driven primarily by higher credit card and licensing fees; partially offset by
•$15 million of lower marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues primarily due to the absence of pass-through revenues associated with the 2023 global franchisee conference, partially offset by global net room growth;
•$9 million of lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on net income; and
•$4 million of lower management fees, partially due to the exit of our U.S. management business.
Total expenses during 2024 increased $19 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year, primarily driven by:
• $36 million of higher transaction-related expenses primarily due to the failed hostile takeover attempt in 2024;
•$15 million of restructuring costs; and
•$12 million of impairment charges primarily related to development advance notes; partially offset by
•$13 million of lower operating costs primarily due to lower foreign currency losses, primarily related to highly inflationary countries, and an insurance recovery;
•$10 million of lower separation-related costs, primarily due to the reversal of a reserve in 2024 related to the expiration of a tax matter associated with our spin-off;
•$9 million of lower cost-reimbursement expenses, which have no impact on net income;
•$5 million of lower marketing, reservation and loyalty expenses primarily due to the absence of $18 million in expenses related to the 2023 global franchisee conference, partially offset by higher 2024 spend driven by increased marketing revenue; and
•$5 million of lower depreciation and amortization.
Interest expense, net during 2024 increased $22 million, or 22%, compared to the prior year primarily due to a higher average debt balance.
Early extinguishment of debt was $3 million in both 2024 and 2023 related to the repricing and refinancing of our term loan B, respectively.
Our effective tax rate decreased to 21.5% in 2024 from 27.4% in 2023. During 2024, the effective tax rate was lower primarily due to tax credits received in Puerto Rico and a non-taxable reversal of a separation-related reserve. The 2023 effective tax rate was higher primarily from a foreign tax assessment that we are currently challenging.
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As a result of these items, net income during 2024 was unchanged year-over-year.
A reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA for Hotel Franchising segment, Corporate and Total Company is represented below:
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
Hotel Franchising Corporate Total Company Hotel Franchising Corporate Total Company
Net income $ 628 $ (339) $ 289 $ 606 $ (317) $ 289
Provision for income taxes - 79 79 - 109 109
Depreciation and amortization 62 9 71 67 9 76
Interest expense, net - 124 124 - 102 102
Early extinguishment of debt - 3 3 - 3 3
Stock-based compensation expense
27 14 41 25 14 39
Development advance notes amortization 24 - 24 15 - 15
Transaction-related - 47 47 - 11 11
Restructuring costs 14 1 15 - - -
Impairment 12 - 12 - - -
Separation-related - (11) (11) - 1 1
Foreign currency impact of highly inflationary countries
- - - 14 - 14
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 767 $ (73) $ 694 $ 727 $ (68) $ 659
Following is a discussion of the results of our Hotel Franchising segment and Corporate for 2024 compared to 2023:
Net Revenues
Adjusted EBITDA
2024 2023 % Change
2024 2023 % Change
Hotel Franchising
$ 1,408 $ 1,397 1 % $ 767 $ 727 6 %
Corporate
- - - (73) (68) (7 %)
Total Company
$ 1,408 $ 1,397 1 % $ 694 $ 659 5 %
Hotel Franchising
Net revenues during 2024 increased $11 million, or 1% compared to the prior year as discussed above.
Adjusted EBITDA during 2024 increased $40 million compared to the prior-year period primarily driven by:
•$29 million of higher fee-related revenues, before development advance note amortization, as discussed above;
•$5 million of lower general and administrative costs primarily due to operational efficiencies and an insurance recovery; and
•$5 million of lower marketing, reservation and loyalty expenses primarily due to the absence of $18 million in expenses related to the 2023 global franchisee conference, partially offset by higher 2024 spend driven by increased marketing revenue.
Corporate
Adjusted EBITDA during 2024 was unfavorable by $5 million compared to the prior year.
DEVELOPMENT
On December 31, 2024, our global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,100 hotels and 252,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 5% year-over-year increase, including 7% growth in the U.S and 4% internationally. Approximately 70% of our pipeline is in the midscale and above segments and 17% is in the extended stay segment. Approximately 58% of our pipeline is international. Additionally, approximately 78% of our pipeline is new construction, of which approximately 35% has broken ground.
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RESTRUCTURING
During 2024, we approved a restructuring plan focused on enhancing our organizational efficiency. As a result, during 2024, we incurred $15 million of restructuring expenses relating to 135 employees primarily in our Hotel Franchising segment. The following table presents activity for the year ended December 31, 2024:
2024 Activity
Liability as of December 31, 2023 (a)
Costs Recognized Cash Payments Other (b)
Liability as of December 31, 2024 (a)
2024 Plan
Personnel-related $ - $ 15 $ (8) $ (2) $ 5
Total accrued restructuring $ - $ 15 $ (8) $ (2) $ 5
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(a)Reported within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(b)Represents non-cash payments in Company stock.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial Condition
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Change
Total assets
$ 4,223 $ 4,033 $ 190
Total liabilities
3,573 3,287 286
Total stockholders’ equity
650 746 (96)
Total assets increased $190 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 primarily related to increases in development advance notes in support of our growth strategy, cash and accounts receivables. Total liabilities increased $286 million year-over-year primarily related to a $262 million increase in our outstanding debt. Total equity decreased $96 million year-over-year primarily due to $308 million of stock repurchases and $123 million of dividends declared, partially offset by our net income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our business generates sufficient cash flow to support current operations, future growth initiatives, and dividend payments to stockholders, while also enabling us to create additional value for our stockholders in the form of share repurchases.
As of December 31, 2024, our liquidity approximated $765 million. Given the minimal capital needs and flexible cost structure of our business, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, cash generated through operations and our expected access to financing facilities, together with funding through our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, anticipated capital expenditures and growth needs.
As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of our credit agreement and expect to remain in such compliance. As of December 31, 2024, we had a term loan B with a principal outstanding balance of $1.5 billion maturing in 2030, a term loan A with a principal outstanding balance of $364 million maturing in 2027, $500 million senior unsecured notes due in August 2028 and a five-year revolving credit facility maturing in 2027 with a maximum aggregate principal amount of $750 million, of which $88 million was outstanding.
The interest rate per annum applicable to our term loan B is equal to, at our option, either a base rate plus an applicable rate of 0.75% or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus an applicable rate of 1.75%. Our revolving credit facility and term loan A are subject to an interest rate per annum equal to, at our option, either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% or SOFR plus a 0.10% SOFR adjustment, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, in either case based upon our total leverage ratio and the total leverage of our restricted subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024 the margin on our term loan A was 1.75%.
As of December 31, 2024, we had pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps which hedge the interest rate exposure on $1.4 billion, effectively representing over 94% of the outstanding amount of our term loan B. The interest rate swaps have weighted average fixed rates (plus applicable spreads) ranging from 3.31% to 3.84% based on various effective dates for each of the swap agreements, with $475 million expiring in the fourth quarter of 2027, $600 million expiring in the second quarter of 2028 and $350 million expiring in the third quarter of 2028.
As of December 31, 2024, our credit rating was Ba1 from Moody’s Investors Service and BB+ from both Standard and Poor’s Rating Agency and Fitch Ratings. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal by the assigning rating organization. Reference in this report to any such credit rating is intended for the limited purpose of discussing or referring to aspects of our liquidity and of our costs of funds. Any reference to a credit rating is not intended to be any guarantee or assurance of, nor should there be any undue reliance upon, any credit rating or change in credit rating, nor is any such reference intended as any inference concerning future performance, future liquidity or any future credit rating. Our liquidity and access to capital may be impacted by our credit ratings, financial performance and global credit market conditions.
CASH FLOW
The following table summarizes the changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
Cash provided by/(used in)
Operating activities
$ 290 $ 376 $ 399
Investing activities
(65) (66) 179
Financing activities
(175) (402) (584)
Effects of changes in exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(3) (3) (4)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 47 $ (95) $ (10)
During 2024, net cash provided by operating activities decreased $86 million compared to the prior year primarily due to $47 million of transaction-related payments related to the unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt and $37 million of higher development advance notes provided to franchisees in support of system growth. Net cash used in investing activities decreased $1 million compared to the prior year primarily due to the purchase of our corporate headquarters, partially offset by lower loan advances. Net cash used in financing activities decreased $227 million compared to the prior year primarily due to $163 million of higher net debt borrowings, $83 million of lower stock repurchases and $22 million of stock options exercises, partially offset by a $34 million finance lease payment associated with the purchase of our corporate headquarters.
During 2023, net cash provided by operating activities decreased $23 million compared to the prior year primarily due to higher development advance notes provided to franchisees in support of system growth and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher cash generated from net income. Net cash used in investing activities was $66 million in 2023 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $179 million in 2022. The change of $245 million was primarily due to the absence of the proceeds received in 2022 from the sales of our owned hotels and the termination fee from CorePoint Lodging associated with the exit of our select-service management business. Net cash used in financing activities decreased $182 million compared to the prior year primarily due to $137 million of net borrowings primarily from our revolving credit facility, which was used for investments in the business and share repurchases. Stock repurchases decreased $55 million as 2022 benefited from the deployment of the proceeds received in connection with the sale of the owned hotels and exit of the select-service management business.
Capital Deployment
Our first priority is to invest in the business. This includes deploying capital to attract high quality assets into our system, investing in select technology improvements across our business that further our strategic objectives and competitive position, brand refresh programs to improve quality and protect brand equity, business acquisitions that are accretive and strategically enhancing to our business, and/or other strategic initiatives. We also expect to maintain a regular dividend payment. Excess cash generated beyond these needs is expected to be available for enhanced stockholder return in the form of stock repurchases.
During 2024, we spent $34 million on capital expenditures, related to information technology, including digital innovation, and $15 million for the purchase of our corporate headquarters. During 2025, we anticipate spending approximately $40-45 million on capital expenditures.
In addition, during 2024, we invested $109 million in development advance notes (net of repayments), and we anticipate spending approximately $110 million on development advance notes in 2025. These investments play a crucial role in attracting higher “FeePAR” hotels into our system, strengthening our portfolio with more premium properties. We may also provide other forms of financial support, such as enhanced credit support, to drive our business growth and strengthen our competitive position.
We have outstanding development advances and loans with a large franchisee currently negotiating with its lenders regarding a potential sale of its business. Both the development advance notes and loans are secured with guarantees and collateral from our current franchisee, adding an additional layer of protection. The development advance notes and loans are expected to be assumed by the purchaser when the sale is finalized, which is expected by the end of February 2025, mitigating risk to our assets. However, if the sale does not proceed as planned, the franchisee’s lenders may seek concessions, which could require us to pursue the underlying guarantees and collateral and also impact the recoverability of a portion of our assets.
During 2024, we incurred $43 million of transaction-related costs associated with the failed hostile takeover attempt. During 2024, we paid $47 million, including amounts incurred in 2023, for this transaction.
We expect all our cash needs to be funded from cash on hand and cash generated through operations, and/or availability under our revolving credit facility.
Contractual Obligations
Material contractual obligations arising in the normal course of business primarily consist of long-term debt and related interest payments, purchase commitments and lease payments. See Note 11 - Long-Term Debt and Borrowing Arrangements and Note 18 - Leases to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part IV of this report for more information. As of December 31, 2024, we had future long-term interest payment obligations of approximately $606 million, of which $132 million is payable within twelve months. As of December 31, 2024, we had purchase commitments primarily consisting of non-cancelable obligations for marketing and technology related services of $142 million, of which $72 million is payable within twelve months.
Stock Repurchase Program
In May 2018, our Board approved a share repurchase plan pursuant to which we were authorized to purchase up to $300 million of our common stock. Our Board has increased the capacity of the program by $300 million in 2019, $800 million in 2022, $400 million in 2023 and $400 million in 2024. Under the plan, we may, from time to time, purchase our common stock through various means, including, without limitation, open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or tender offers, subject to the terms of the tax matters agreement entered into in connection with our spin-off.
Under our current stock repurchase program, we repurchased approximately 4.1 million shares at an average price of $75.63 for a cost of $308 million during 2024. Since inception of our stock repurchase program, we repurchased 24.8 million shares at an average price of $67.32 per share for a cost of $1.7 billion. As of December 31, 2024, we had $538 million of remaining availability under our program.
Dividend Policy
We declared cash dividends of $0.38 per share in each of the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2024 ($123 million in aggregate). In January 2025, the Board approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.41 per share.
The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock is at the discretion of our Board and depends upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business, covenants associated with certain debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that our Board deems relevant.
Foreign Earnings
Although the one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax during 2017 and the territorial tax system created as a result of U.S. tax reform generally eliminate U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, we continue to assert
that all of our undistributed foreign earnings of $143 million will be reinvested indefinitely as of December 31, 2024. In the event the Company determines not to continue to assert that all or part of its undistributed foreign earnings are permanently reinvested, such a determination in the future could result in the accrual and payment of additional foreign withholding taxes and U.S. taxes on currency transaction gains and losses, the determination of which is not practicable due to the complexities associated with the hypothetical calculation.
LONG-TERM DEBT COVENANTS
Our credit facilities contain customary covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on indebtedness; liens; mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; dispositions, restricted debt payments, restricted payments and transactions with affiliates. Events of default in these credit facilities include, among others, failure to pay interest, principal and fees when due; breach of a covenant or warranty; acceleration of or failure to pay other debt in excess of a threshold amount; unpaid judgments in excess of a threshold amount; insolvency matters; and a change of control. The credit facilities require us to comply with a financial covenant to be tested quarterly, consisting of a maximum first-lien leverage ratio of 5.0 times. The ratio is calculated by dividing consolidated first lien indebtedness (as defined in the credit agreement) net of consolidated unrestricted cash as of the measurement date by consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement), as measured on a trailing four-fiscal-quarter basis preceding the measurement date. As of December 31, 2024, our annualized first-lien leverage ratio was 2.7 times.
The indenture, as supplemented, under which the senior notes due 2028 were issued, contains covenants that limit, among other things, our ability and that of certain of our subsidiaries to (i) create liens on certain assets; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and (iii) merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.
As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants described above.
SEASONALITY
While the hotel industry is seasonal in nature, periods of higher revenues vary property-by-property and performance is dependent on location and guest base. Based on historical performance, revenues from franchise contracts are generally higher in the second and third quarters than in the first or fourth quarters due to increased leisure travel during the spring and summer months. Our cash from operating activities may not necessarily follow the same seasonality as our revenues and may vary due to timing of working capital requirements and other investment activities. The seasonality of our business may cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, earnings, profit margins and cash flows. As we expand into new markets and geographical locations, we may experience increased or different seasonality dynamics that create fluctuations in operating results different from the fluctuations we have experienced in the past.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are involved in claims, legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental inquiries related to our business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and, although we believe that our accruals are adequate and/or that we have valid defenses in these matters, unfavorable results could occur. As such, an adverse outcome from such proceedings for which claims are awarded in excess of the amounts accrued, if any, could be material to us with respect to earnings and/or cash flows in any given reporting period. As of December 31, 2024, the potential exposure resulting from adverse outcomes of such legal proceedings could, in the aggregate, range up to approximately $11 million in excess of recorded accruals. However, we do not believe that the impact of such litigation should result in a material liability to us in relation to our financial position or liquidity. For a more detailed description of our commitments and contingencies see Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part IV of this report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
In presenting our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. However, events that are outside of our control cannot be predicted and, as such, they cannot be contemplated in evaluating such estimates and assumptions. If there is a significant unfavorable change to current conditions, it could result in a material impact to our consolidated results of operations, financial position and liquidity. We believe that the estimates and assumptions we used when preparing our financial statements were the most appropriate at that time. Presented below are those accounting policies that we believe require subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results. However, the majority of our business activities are in environments where we are paid a fee for a service performed, and therefore the results of the majority of our
recurring operations are recorded in our financial statements using accounting policies that are not particularly subjective, nor complex.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate goodwill and other indefinite and definite long-lived assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that an impairment has occurred prior to our annual assessment date. For goodwill, we may elect to perform this test through either a qualitative assessment or by utilizing a quantitative impairment test. We also evaluate the recoverability of each of our definite-lived intangible assets by performing a qualitative assessment to determine if circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Such qualitative assessments require management judgement and include factors such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, our historical share price as well as other industry-specific considerations.
Application of a quantitative impairment assessment of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets requires judgment in the assumptions used to determine fair value. The fair value of goodwill and each other indefinite-lived intangible asset is estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology. This analysis requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which are dependent on internal forecasts, discount rates and to a lesser extent, estimation of long-term rates of growth. The estimates used to calculate the fair value of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets change from year to year based on operating results and market conditions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of such fair values.
Loyalty Program
We operate the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program. Wyndham Rewards members primarily accumulate points by staying in hotels operated under one of our brands and by purchasing everyday services and products with their Wyndham Rewards co-branded credit card.
We earn revenue related to the issuance of these loyalty points from these programs which we recognize, net of redemptions, over time based upon loyalty point redemption patterns, including an estimate of loyalty points that will expire or will never be redeemed.
As members earn points through the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program, we record a liability for the estimated future redemption costs, which is calculated based on (i) an estimated cost per point and (ii) an estimated redemption rate of the overall points earned, which is determined with the assistance of a third-party actuarial firm through historical experience, current trends and the use of an actuarial analysis. The estimated cost per point and estimated redemption rate used in the determination of the liability for the estimated future redemption costs require management judgement. Changes in the estimated cost per point and/or the estimated redemption rate used in the determination of the liability could result in a material change to the liability recorded and our results of operations.
Income Taxes
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. We regularly review our deferred tax assets to assess their potential realization and establish a valuation allowance for portions of such assets that we believe will not be ultimately realized. In performing this review, we make estimates and assumptions regarding projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and the implementation of tax planning strategies. A change in these assumptions may increase or decrease our valuation allowance resulting in an increase or decrease in our effective tax rate, which could materially impact our results of operations.
For tax positions we have taken or expect to take in our tax return, we apply a more likely than not threshold, under which we must conclude a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained, assuming that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, in order to recognize or continue to recognize the benefit. In determining our provision for income taxes, we use judgment, reflecting our estimates and assumptions, in applying the more likely than not threshold. A change in the assumptions and estimates utilized could materially impact our results of operations.
RECENTLY ADOPTED AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For a detailed description of recently adopted and new accounting pronouncements see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part IV of this report.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
There were no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons in 2024, 2023 and 2022 that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We use various financial instruments, including interest swap contracts, to reduce the interest rate risk related to our debt. We also use foreign currency forwards to manage and reduce the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, forecasted royalties, forecasted earnings and cash flows of foreign subsidiaries and other transactions.
We are exclusively an end user of these instruments, which are commonly referred to as derivatives. We do not engage in trading, market making or other speculative activities in the derivatives markets. More detailed information about these financial instruments is provided in Note 12 - Fair Value to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our principal market exposures are interest rate and currency exchange rate risks.
We assess our exposures to changes in interest rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis measures the potential impact in earnings, fair values and cash flows based on a hypothetical 10% change (increase and decrease) in interest rates. Our variable-rate borrowings, which include our term loan, a portion of which has been swapped to a fixed interest rate, and any borrowings we make under our revolving credit facility, expose us to risks caused by fluctuations in the applicable interest rates. The total outstanding balance of such variable-rate borrowings, net of swaps, was $531 million as of December 31, 2024. A hypothetical 10% change in our effective weighted average interest rate on our variable-rate borrowings would result in a $2 million increase or decrease to our annual long-term debt interest expense, and a one-point change in the underlying interest rates would result in approximately a $5 million increase or decrease in our annual interest expense.
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.
We have foreign currency rate exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide, particularly with respect to the Canadian Dollar, the Chinese Yuan, the Euro, the Brazilian Real, the British Pound and the Argentine Peso. We anticipate that such foreign currency exchange rate risk will remain a market risk exposure for the foreseeable future.
We use a current market pricing model to assess the changes in the value of our foreign currency derivatives used by us to hedge underlying exposure that primarily consists of our non-functional-currency current assets and liabilities. The primary assumption used in these models is a hypothetical 10% weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against all our currency exposures as of December 31, 2024. The gains and losses on the hedging instruments are largely offset by the gains and losses on the underlying assets, liabilities or expected cash flows. As of December 31, 2024, the absolute notional amount of our outstanding foreign exchange hedging instruments was $186 million. We have determined through such analyses that a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would have resulted in approximately a $2 million increase or decrease to the fair value of our outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts, which would generally be offset by an opposite effect on the underlying exposure being economically hedged.
Argentina is considered to be a highly inflationary economy. As of December 31, 2024, we had total net exposure in Argentina relating to foreign currency of approximately $7 million. Foreign currency exchange losses related to Argentina were immaterial, $14 million and $4 million during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Our total market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors including the volatility present within the markets and the liquidity of the markets. There are certain limitations inherent in the sensitivity analyses presented. While probably the most meaningful analysis, these “shock tests” are constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and the inability to include the complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are appended to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. A list of the financial statements filed herewith is found in Part IV, Item 15 commencing on page hereof.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Not applicable.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and operating to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting is effective. Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included within their audit opinion on page.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, no directors or executive officers entered into, modified or terminated, contracts, instructions or written plans for the sale or purchase of the Company’s securities that were intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1 or that constituted non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Except as otherwise disclosed in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Information About Our Executive Officers”, the information required by this item is included in the Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Proxy Statement”) under the captions “Nominees for Election to the Board”, “Governance of the Company” and “Executive Compensation” and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item is included in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation of Directors”, “2024 Director Compensation Table”, “Executive Compensation” and “Committees of the Board” and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2024:
Plan Category Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in the First Column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 2.4 million (a)
$54.45 (b)
4.4 million (c)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders None Not applicable Not applicable
______________________
(a) Consists of shares issuable upon exercise of stock settled stock options, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and performance vested restricted stock units at the maximum achievement level under the Amended and Restated 2018 Equity and Incentive Plan.
(b) Consists of weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock settled stock options.
(c) Consists of shares available for future grants under the Amended and Restated 2018 Equity and Incentive Plan.
The remaining information required by this item is included in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Ownership of Company Stock” and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this item is included in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Related Party Transactions” and “Governance of the Company” and is incorporated by reference in this report.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information required by this item is included in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Disclosure About Fees” and “Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services” and is incorporated by reference in this report.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) Financial Statements.
See Financial Statements and Financial Statements Index commencing on page hereof.
(a)(3) Exhibits.
See Exhibit Index commencing on page G-1 hereof.