Umi hotels looks to expand brand through franchises

Founder Steve Lowy, who owns and operates hotels in Brighton, London and Moscow, said franchising was currently the most flexible option to expand his company and take advantage of the growing budget sector.

The company currently has no property partnership or enough capital to expand on its own and legal restrictions in some countries also make franchising the easiest option.

Lowy said hoteliers wanting to 're-ignite' their business or those starting out in the industry who needed the security of running a property under an existing brand, rather than starting a new one were the ideal candidates for a franchise. However, under the agreement, hotels would not have to change their name, unless they wanted to.

Franchise agreement​

Under the agreement, franchisees would be asked to pay a start-up cost, a low commission charge on bookings gained through Umi websites and to commit to a three-year minimum term. In exchange, they would get marketing support, sales and budgeting training, staff manuals and use of the group's BookItWith online booking service.

Lowy said: “We have a professional and experienced team and are happy to help other independent hoteliers make their hotel business profitable and efficient. Our franchise package is excellent value, in line with the value accommodation experience that the existing umi hotel’s are already offering."

Umi was set up in 2006 when Lowy was just 25. He took over the old Westminster Hotel in London’s Notting Hill, relaunching it as a budget hotel aimed at young travellers. He went on to open the hotel in Brighton in 2008 before launching his third hotel in Moscow earlier this year under a partnership agreement with the owners of the former Petrovka Loft hotel.