Established
1995
Franchise Units
130
Minimum Investment
$5,000,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$15,000,000
Home Based
No
Description
MainStay Suites by Choice Hotels is a well-established extended-stay hotel brand designed to meet the growing demand for longer-term lodging in the United States. Positioned in the upper-midscale hotel segment, MainStay Suites caters to guests who stay weeks or even months at a time, including business travelers, relocating professionals, construction crews, traveling nurses, and families in transition.
What sets MainStay Suites apart is its “home-away-from-home” concept. Each suite is thoughtfully designed with full kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, spacious workspaces, and modern amenities that encourage comfort and repeat stays. This model drives higher occupancy stability and longer average lengths of stay compared to traditional transient hotels.
Backed by the global strength of Choice Hotels International, MainStay Suites benefits from one of the most powerful reservation systems, loyalty programs, and brand portfolios in the hospitality industry. For investors, this franchise represents a scalable, proven hotel concept with strong brand recognition, operational efficiency, and consistent demand across urban, suburban, and highway markets throughout the USA.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in a MainStay Suites franchise means aligning with a brand that is built for resilience and long-term performance.
The extended-stay segment continues to outperform many other lodging categories due to predictable demand, reduced guest turnover, and lower operational volatility. Longer stays mean fewer check-ins and check-outs, reduced housekeeping frequency, and more efficient staffing models, all of which support healthier operating margins.
As part of Choice Hotels, MainStay Suites franchisees gain immediate access to a nationally recognized brand, a massive loyalty base, and centralized marketing power that independent hotels cannot replicate. Choice Privileges, one of the largest hotel rewards programs in the world, drives consistent bookings and repeat customers.
Additionally, MainStay Suites is designed with flexible development options, making it attractive for new builds, conversions, and portfolio expansions. The brand’s standardized design and operational systems help investors control costs while delivering a consistent guest experience across markets.
Background
Established Year:
MainStay Suites was launched in 1995 as part of Choice Hotels International’s strategic expansion into the extended-stay lodging segment.
Founders & Ownership:
MainStay Suites is owned and franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the largest and most respected hotel franchisors in the world. Choice Hotels was originally founded in 1939 and is a publicly traded hospitality company with decades of global operating experience.
Brand Journey & Company History:
MainStay Suites was created to address a growing gap in the U.S. hospitality market: travelers who needed accommodations for longer stays but still wanted the reliability, comfort, and affordability of a branded hotel. From its inception, the brand focused on spacious, apartment-style suites featuring full kitchens, dedicated living areas, and amenities designed for guests staying a week or longer.
Over the years, MainStay Suites has evolved alongside changing guest expectations. The brand has modernized its design standards, enhanced in-room functionality, and incorporated technology-driven systems while maintaining its core promise of comfort, value, and consistency. Its extended-stay model has proven especially resilient during economic cycles due to steady demand from business travelers, healthcare professionals, construction crews, and relocating families.
Franchise Active Units (Current):
MainStay Suites currently has approximately 130+ active franchised hotel locations across the United States, with additional properties in various stages of development. The brand continues to expand in secondary and tertiary markets, business corridors, suburban locations, and highway-adjacent areas where extended-stay demand remains strong.
Market Presence in the USA:
MainStay Suites has a strong national footprint and benefits from Choice Hotels’ extensive U.S. presence, centralized reservation systems, and one of the industry’s largest loyalty programs. The brand is well positioned in markets with sustained corporate activity, medical centers, military installations, and long-term infrastructure projects.
Support Training
MainStay Suites franchisees receive comprehensive support at every stage of the ownership journey.
Pre-Launch & Development Support:
Franchisees benefit from site selection guidance, market feasibility analysis, prototype design standards, and construction planning support. Choice Hotels provides detailed brand specifications and assists with project timelines to streamline development and reduce risk.
Training Programs:
New owners and management teams undergo structured training covering hotel operations, guest service standards, revenue management, housekeeping systems, safety protocols, and brand compliance. Training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on operational learning.
Operational Support:
Ongoing operational assistance includes access to proven standard operating procedures, centralized reservation systems, property management technology, and performance benchmarking tools. Franchisees also receive guidance on staffing models, cost controls, and service optimization.
Marketing & Revenue Management:
MainStay Suites benefits from Choice Hotels’ national marketing campaigns, digital advertising, and global distribution systems. Franchisees gain access to revenue management tools, dynamic pricing strategies, and the Choice Privileges loyalty program to maximize occupancy and average daily rates.
Ongoing Business Support:
Dedicated franchise support teams provide ongoing consultation, brand audits, performance reviews, and access to continuing education resources. This long-term partnership approach helps franchisees adapt to market trends and maintain brand standards.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal MainStay Suites franchisee is an investor or hospitality entrepreneur seeking a stable, long-term hotel asset backed by a trusted brand.
Candidates often include experienced hotel owners, multi-unit operators, real estate developers, and investment groups looking to diversify or expand their lodging portfolios. Prior hospitality experience is beneficial but not mandatory, as Choice Hotels provides structured training and operational support.
Successful franchisees typically have strong financial capacity, a long-term investment mindset, and the ability to manage or oversee professional hotel management teams. A commitment to brand standards, guest satisfaction, and operational excellence is essential.
MainStay Suites is well-suited for investors targeting U.S. markets with sustained corporate activity, healthcare facilities, infrastructure projects, military bases, or growing residential developments where extended-stay demand remains consistent year-round.
Financial Detail
| Investment Component | Estimated Details |
|---|---|
| Total Initial Investment | USD $5,000,000 – $15,000,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | Approx. $5,000,000 |
| Franchise Fee | USD $35,000 – $60,000 |
| Franchise Model | Hotel Franchise (Extended-Stay, Upper-Midscale) |
| Franchise Active Units (USA) | 130+ locations |
| Land & Site Development | Varies by market, zoning, and land costs |
| Construction / Conversion Cost | Major portion of total investment (new build or conversion) |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) | Guestroom furnishings, kitchens, common areas, back-of-house |
| Technology & Systems | Property management system, reservation platform, brand systems |
| Pre-Opening & Marketing Budget | Local launch marketing, brand opening support |
| Working Capital | 3–6 months recommended for staffing, utilities, operations |
| Royalty Fees | Ongoing royalty fees payable to Choice Hotels (percentage of gross room revenue) |
| Marketing / System Fees | National marketing, reservation system, loyalty program contributions |
| Expected Break-Even Period | Approx. 24 – 36 months (market-dependent) |
| Expected ROI | Stable, long-term returns typical of extended-stay hotel assets |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Long-term room stays, corporate contracts, group bookings, loyalty stays |
| Secondary Revenue Opportunities | Short-term transient guests, extended corporate housing demand |