Summary: Independent hotel supply in the U.S. has decreased in the past 10 years, reports STR.<br> The lodging-data company reports independently owned and operated hotels account for less than 40 percent of all hotels. About 1 percent of those close each year.<br> But that trend may take a turn.<br> It appears more and more hoteliers who have grown their companies with franchised brands are considering going independent.<br> We’re talking about entrepreneurs are converting existing branded properties into non-affiliated hotels.<br> The franchise contracts are approaching the end, and thanks to the internet, online distribution channels and sophisticated operating and marketing technologies, flying solo is no longer a day dream.<br> However, before lowering your brand flag, listen to the advice of three hoteliers who either have done it or are planning to do it.<br> You may discover that franchising is the best model for your business, after all.<br> In today’s episode, we talk to San Diego hoteliers Bobby Patel of Hotel Investment Group which has nine independent hotels, and Vipul Dayal of VNR Management who is converting a family-owned franchised property and writing a book about it.<br> We also hear from Timesh Patel of Ohm Culture Hotels in Inglewood, California, who, as he puts it, was “punched in the face” when he transitioned from franchised to independent.<br> Resources and Links<br> <br> * <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timesh-patel-22a05b37/">Timesh Patel</a> of <a href="http://ohmculturehotels.com/">Ohm Culture Hotels</a><br> * Bobby Patel of <a href="https://www.hotelinvestmentgroup.com/">Hotel Investment Group</a><br> * <a href="https://www.meetvipul.com/">Vipul Dayal</a><br> * “<a href="https://amzn.to/2JV1qcf">From Brand to Boutique: Analyzing Operating Models</a>.” The first chapter is available on Amazon.com.<br> <br>
