Choice Hotels Executes Lease for New Corporate Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading worldwide lodging company Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today announced it has executed a lease for a new corporate headquarters in Rockville, Md.  The news follows the October 25, 2010, announcement by Governor Martin O'Malley, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and City of Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio that Choice Hotels had signed a letter of intent to move to Rockville when the lease on the company's current building expires in 2013.  The new headquarters will be located at a building being completed at 121 Rockville Pike in Rockville Town Center, where the company will occupy approximately over 130,000 square feet of Class A office space. The building will be developed, constructed, owned, and managed by the Foulger-Pratt Companies.

"We are very pleased that Montgomery County will continue to be our home and that we were able to secure a headquarters location in Rockville—a vibrant community convenient to the vast majority of our associate base," said Stephen P. Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels.  "Rockville Town Center is the ideal location for Choice Hotels – offering easy access to Metro bus and rail service as well as a wealth of dining and shopping options for our associates, franchisees and our many visitors and business associates.  Additionally, we are grateful to have the opportunity to direct the build out of our new headquarters to meet our unique specifications and needs."

Choice Hotels International was founded in 1941 and has been headquartered in Silver Spring, Md. since 1968.  The company, which was assisted in its search by brokerage firm Studley, anticipates a summer 2011 groundbreaking for its new headquarters and a move-in date in spring 2013.  

"Choice Hotels' commitment to investing and creating new jobs in Maryland speaks to the quality and availability of our workforce, our strategic location and the supportive business climate that the State and our partners in Montgomery County offer to businesses," said Governor O'Malley. "We are pleased that Choice, one of the world's largest lodging companies, will continue to make its home in Maryland and we look forward to working with the company as it continues to grow and expand in Rockville."  

"The only thing better than announcing that Choice Hotels International signed a letter of intent to stay in the County is today's announcement that they have officially signed a lease to occupy 130,000 square feet of prime Class A office space in the heart of downtown Rockville," said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. "Choice Hotels is truly one of Montgomery County's leading corporate citizens.  Their outstanding business acumen is only surpassed by their commitment to their employees and to Montgomery County's business community by choosing to remain and grow here for many more years to come.  I congratulate Stephen and his team."

"Rockville is thrilled to welcome the Choice Hotels corporate headquarters to our downtown," said Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio. "Choice Hotels is yet another prominent national company that's chosen Rockville, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in their beautiful new Town Center location."

"We are thrilled to partner with Choice Hotels International in building Rockville Metro Plaza II to be their worldwide corporate headquarters, and are grateful to the City, the County, and the State for their substantial effort in attracting Choice to the City of Rockville," said Clayton Foulger, principal at Foulger-Pratt.  "We believe this beautiful new building, designed to accommodate Choice's specific corporate needs, will be a wonderful long-term home for them and a wonderful addition to the City of Rockville that will benefit all parties.  We are excited to be involved in this dynamic project at this time."

Choice Hotels has been extensively involved in charitable efforts in Montgomery County.  It kicked off its three-year partnership with its signature cause partner Rebuilding Together in September 2009 in Rockville, with over 100 Choice Hotels associates volunteering to rehabilitate Stepping Stones Shelter. In 2010, the company's associates rehabilitated two homes in the Wheaton/Silver Spring area.  Additionally, the company received the President's Volunteer Service Award for its participation in the Manna Smart Sacks Volunteer Program, where is supports a county elementary school providing backpacks of food year-round for needy children.  Additionally, Choice Hotels, through its Choice Hotels International Foundation, supports numerous philanthropic causes in the county and is a member of the Montgomery County Corporate Volunteer Council.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of March 31, 2011, more than 500 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 40,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,400 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories.  The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide.  In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

(C) 2011 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.