Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter reached $165 million, a 2% year-over-year increase [24] - Adjusted earnings per share also hit a record of $1.92, marking a 4% year-over-year increase [25] - Global rooms increased by 3% year-over-year, with total worldwide rooms growing by 2.1% [25][28] - Domestic RevPAR declined approximately 1.6% year-over-year, while overall RevPAR decreased by 2.9% [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic extended stay room system size grew by 10% year-over-year, with a 7% increase in domestic openings [25] - The Comfort brand saw a 50% increase in global openings and a 23% year-over-year increase in domestic franchise agreements [26] - The upscale portfolio, including the Send Hotel Collection, reached over 65,000 rooms worldwide, with a 29% year-over-year increase in domestic franchise agreements awarded [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International business achieved a 10% growth in adjusted EBITDA, with a 5% expansion in the rooms portfolio year-over-year [5] - The EMEA region saw a 7% increase in room count, reaching over 63,000 rooms [9] - In Canada, the lodging market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 5% over the next five years, reaching over $50 billion in total revenues by 2030 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding its global footprint through acquisitions and partnerships, including the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in Choice Hotels Canada [6][32] - The strategy includes transitioning to a fully direct franchising model in Canada, allowing for a broader product offering across 22 brands [7] - The company aims to enhance its portfolio by exiting underperforming hotels and focusing on more revenue-intensive segments [13][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ongoing growth in international markets and the potential for increased market share [6] - The company anticipates continued growth in the extended stay segment, which has shown resilience during uncertain economic times [11] - Despite macroeconomic challenges, management remains confident in the long-term outlook, driven by strategic investments and a focus on higher revenue-generating hotels [23][34] Other Important Information - The company achieved a record second quarter adjusted EBITDA despite a weaker RevPAR environment [24] - The effective royalty rate increased by eight basis points year-over-year, contributing to revenue growth [30] - The company returned $137 million to shareholders year-to-date, including $27 million in cash dividends and $110 million in share repurchases [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company decide on direct versus master franchise in different markets? - The decision is based on market fundamentals, including the ability of small business owners to aggregate capital and the regulatory environment [37][40] Question: What is the growth outlook for Canada? - The dynamics around development and hotel openings in Canada are similar to the U.S., with a healthy growth rate of 5% expected [44][46] Question: What is the long-term expectation for international EBITDA? - International EBITDA is currently about 6% of total EBITDA, with significant growth opportunities anticipated [50][53] Question: What current trends are impacting RevPAR expectations? - The company is experiencing softness in international inbound and government travel, affecting RevPAR guidance [60][61] Question: Are there any significant loans to be aware of? - The company clarified that loans made were not to competitive brands and are primarily for launching new brands [67][70] Question: What is the current status of the global net system rooms? - The guidance for global net system rooms is for 1% growth this year, with strategic terminations of underperforming properties factored in [73][75] Question: How is the company managing the balance between occupancy and rate? - The company is focused on maintaining occupancy share gains, which is crucial for future rate increases [84][86]