Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 5% increase in comparable adjusted EBITDA and an 11% increase in EPS despite a challenging RevPAR environment [5][20] - Adjusted free cash flow was approximately $88 million for the quarter and $168 million year-to-date, with a conversion rate from adjusted EBITDA of about 50% [22][23] - The company returned nearly $220 million to shareholders year-to-date, including $77 million in share repurchases and $32 million in dividends during the second quarter [6][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ancillary fee streams increased by nearly 20%, contributing to the overall revenue growth [5][20] - The company opened over 16,000 rooms in Q2, bringing year-to-date new additions to over 30,000 rooms, a record for the first half of the year [11] - Contract signings increased by 40% compared to the prior year, driving a 5% growth in the global development pipeline to a record 255,000 rooms [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global RevPAR declined by 3% in constant currency, with U.S. RevPAR down 4% and international RevPAR growing by 1% [15][16] - EMEA RevPAR grew by 7%, while Latin America and the Caribbean saw an 18% increase driven by strong ADR [15] - In China, net rooms grew by 16%, but the company faced challenges with its Super 8 master licensee, leading to a revision in reporting metrics [13][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on developing higher fee par brands and expanding direct franchising in regions previously reliant on master license agreements [14] - The strategy includes enhancing the royalty rate, which increased by six basis points domestically and 13 basis points internationally [14] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy while investing in long-term value creation [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing economic volatility due to higher interest rates and inflation, particularly affecting economy and mid-scale guests [17] - The company expects full-year constant currency global RevPAR growth to range between down 2% to up 1% [24] - Management expressed optimism about consumer sentiment and travel intent, with expectations for RevPAR to return to a long-term growth rate of 2% to 3% [36][89] Other Important Information - The company launched several new technology-driven tools to enhance guest engagement and operational efficiency [7][8] - Franchisee satisfaction was reported to be higher than in any past conference, reflecting confidence in future business prospects [10] - The company has a strong balance sheet with approximately $580 million in total liquidity and a net leverage ratio of 3.5x [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on RevPAR trends - Management noted that Q2 RevPAR was down 2.3% normalized, with continued softness in leisure-focused markets but strength in industrial states [31][32] Question: Net unit growth expectations - Management indicated that net room growth expectations have remained consistent, with an increase in the low end of the guidance to 4% to 4.6% [47][48] Question: Impact of Super 8 master licensee issues - Management confirmed a shift towards direct franchising in China, with significant growth in the direct franchising business [50][51] Question: Ancillary revenue growth - Management highlighted a 19% increase in ancillary revenues, driven by the co-branded credit card program [56][57] Question: Key money environment - Management stated that the key money environment remains consistent, with no significant changes anticipated [61][62] Question: Retention rates and pipeline status - Management reported a rolling twelve-month retention rate of 95.8% and no significant fallouts in the pipeline [106][107]