India-Based Monarch Hospitality Services Private Ltd. Signs Master Franchise Agreement with Howard Johnson

Monarch to Develop 15 Howard Johnson Hotels in India Over Next Five Years

Howard Johnson International Inc., a mid-scale hotel industry leader, has announced the signing of a master franchise agreement with Monarch Hospitality Services Private Ltd. that calls for the development of 15 hotels in India over the next five years.

Under the agreement, Monarch Hospitality Services hotels in Ooty, Coimbatore and Masinagudi, representing a total of 132 rooms, immediately will convert to the Howard Johnson® brand.

Monarch Hospitality Services was launched last year by Mithun Chakraborty and Satyabrata Mukhopadhyay. Chakraborty, an internationally recognized film personality, pioneered a hotel management school in Ooty, India, with a leading Australian university. Mukhopadhyay is a leather goods manufacturer and exporter based in Calcutta.

“There is an enormous demand for quality mid-market travel products in India,” said Chakraborty. “Our agreement with Howard Johnson will deliver quality, mid-priced hotels to millions of travelers.”

Monarch Hospitality Services will develop and franchise the Howard Johnson brand in India, providing assistance in all aspects of hotel operations including financing, global marketing and training. The company plans to develop Howard Johnson hotels in Calcutta, Madras, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

In addition to providing sales and marketing support to Howard Johnson properties in India, Monarch Hospitality Services will have the ability to use a network of global sales offices that reach more than 30 countries.

“The agreement with Monarch provides Howard Johnson a foothold in Asia,” said Mary Mahoney, Howard Johnson International president & chief executive officer. “We welcome Monarch Hospitality Services to the Howard Johnson family and look forward to help them provide their guests with quality lodging experiences.”

Howard Johnson International Inc. franchises more than 500 hotels and inns in the United States, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.