Hotels with personality

History: From Referral Network to Global Pioneer

What started in 1946 as a simple referral group in post-war California became a global lodging icon. The brand introduced centralized reservations in 1962 and dropped “Motel” from its name in 1974, positioning itself as a full-service player before expanding internationally. The nonprofit, franchisee-owned model remained, with the company formalizing as a franchisor by 1985 and acquiring WorldHotels in 2019 to diversify into upscale markets

Specialties: Personality, Choice, & Value

Best Western stands out for its "Hotels with personality" philosophy, offering diverse lodging experiences—from economy to boutique—while maintaining strong guest service standards. Pioneering cleanliness protocols, loyalty perks via Best Western Rewards, and consistent brand amenities highlight its commitment to value and trust

Achievements: Innovation & Expansion Milestones

• 1962: Launched U.S. national reservation system
• 1988: Unveiled Rewards program
• 2004: First large-scale hotel brand to implement HSIA
• 2015: Modern brand refresh with new logo
• 2019: Acquired WorldHotels and formed BWH Hotel Group
• 2023: Nearly 3,900 properties globally; 19 brands across value segments

Franchising: Ownership, Opportunity & Why to Franchise!

Franchising Info & Method:

• Best Western operates as a licensing/franchise model—franchisees pay fee, royalties, and marketing contribution.
• Offers multiple brand tiers—Best Western, Plus, Premier, boutique Aiden®/Vīb®, economy SureStay®, luxury WorldHotels® collections

Franchising Method:

• Franchise agreements cover property construction or conversion, branding, operations, and ongoing support.
• Franchisee-members participate in governance via nonprofit structure, having voting rights and profit-sharing alignment

Why to Franchise?

• Tap a trusted global brand with 75+ years of heritage and nearly 5,000 properties worldwide
• Choose your investment level—economy, midscale, boutique, or luxury—with structured support
• Benefit from collective voice—franchisees own the brand via nonprofit model
• Leverage shared services—central reservations, loyalty program, marketing funds, cleanliness and tech innovation
• Capital-efficient opportunity—conversion projects as low as ~$0.6 M; new builds up to ~$31 M