Known throughout the industry for franchise development and impressive growth of hotel brands, Patrick Mullinix was recently named President of Franchise Development for Cobblestone Hotels.
Prior to joining Cobblestone Hotels, Mullinix was with Vantage Hospitality Group for over 14 years, serving as Group President of Vantage Hospitality Group’s Value Brands. He oversaw all national expansion efforts and domestic development for the Americas Best Value Inn and Country Hearth Inn & Suites brands, then launched Signature Inn, an affordable boutique brand that encourages owners-operators to put their own unique style on their hotel.
Mullinix was instrumental in growing the Americas Best Value Inn brand to over 1,000 properties, making it the 10th largest hotel brand worldwide. Vantage was acquired by RLH Corporation in October 2016 and Mullinix continued as Senior Vice President of Franchise for the company’s select-service brands before transitioning to Cobblestone Hotels.
“It was a very personal decision for me to join Cobblestone Hotels because I have a distinct need to get back to the basics – basics that I think are being overlooked in the hotel franchise world today,” Mullinix said. “Those include, putting the interests of hotel owners first; providing the necessary support and resources to allow owners and operators to grow their business; and most importantly, doing it all through open and honest communications within the franchisor-franchisee relationship.”
Mullinix continued, the Cobblestone Hotels success formula is simple – nothing is more important than the relationship between the brand and the owner-operator. While strategic growth is necessary to ensure success, franchisees need to know their voice is being heard and their needs are being recognised.
“We are good developers, but haven’t focused on growing with other developers and owners.” Said Brian Wogernese, President & CEO of Cobblestone Hotels. “This will allow us to continue developing, while Patrick’s team will focus on selling franchises to experienced operators.”
