Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has expanded its Manufacturer Direct program, helping hotels undergoing refurbishments save 20% or more in cost compared to traditional renovation programs.
Launched for Days Inn by Wyndham in 2022, the program is now available to Ramada by Wyndham and Microtel by Wyndham franchisees.
The Manufacturer Direct program helps owners take a hands-on approach to renovations, giving full line of sight into costs and lead time while enabling significant savings. The program was designed to boost transparency, value creation and owner engagement throughout the refurbishment process.
Franchisees who opt for the program can connect with pre-approved vendors that help them manage all aspects of the renovation. By overseeing the process and fulfilling the role of a more traditional project manager, including placing orders, handling installations and tracking timelines, franchisees eliminate several elements that can increase costs for renovations.
Wyndham will expand the program later in the year, adding Americinn by Wyndham franchisees with more brands scheduled to follow.
“We take an owner-first approach to franchising, and our Manufacturer Direct program delivers on greater transparency and higher savings in the renovation process, particularly for franchisees who want to be more hands-on and don’t require the support and services of our more traditional offerings,” said David Kellam, vice president, design and construction, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “By enabling hotels to order everything directly and serve as their own project manager, we’re helping them unlock substantial cost-savings — as much as $50,000 on a 90-room Days Inn renovation — all while delivering an updated, high-quality, modern guest experience that aligns with Wyndham brand standards.”
Enhanced designs, transparent savings
The program enables franchisees to adopt late brand designs while ensuring compliance with Wyndham brand standards. The room packages currently available include:
- Days Inn by Wyndham- Dawn: The Dawn room design derives inspiration from the sun, featuring airy and bright rooms with signature, sun-centric art of local attractions and landscapes. The rooms include light and modern furniture and fixtures, emphasizing in-room connectivity. To see how Dawn will look in their existing rooms, franchisees can upload a photo to Wyndham’s new AI-driven Hotel Room Restyler. A complete Dawn room package through Manufacturer Direct costs $2,400 per key for all furniture, fixtures and soft goods, with packages available in single king and double queen configurations.
- Ramada by Wyndham- Ruby: This room design is a modern and enhanced reimagination of the brand, featuring elegant bedding, dark woods and notes of red. The rooms include regionally inspired art. A complete Ruby room package costs $2,600 per key and is available in single-king and double-queen configurations.
- Microtel by Wyndham- Moda: The Moda room will maximize space and efficiency while enhancing the guest experience. Moda features space-conscious furnishings, modern bedding and hues of yellow and blue. A complete Moda room package costs $2,800 per key and is available in a double queen configuration.
“What I love about Wyndham’s Manufacturer Direct program is the control and transparency it gave me in overseeing my hotel’s renovation and how easy it was to work with manufacturers,” said Nilesh Patel, Days Inn by Wyndham FAC member and owner of the recently remodeled Days Inn by Wyndham in El Cajon, Calif. “Not only did it allow me to manage the project in the way that I knew was best for my business, but the savings I was able to realize freed up capital that I’m now able to deploy into other areas of my business. As an owner, that’s a huge win.”
Customized solutionsÂ
Through the Procurement Service Providers (PSPs), Wyndham franchisees can access more traditional renovation programs. This allows franchisees to customize their approach to renovations, ideal for those navigating complicated renovations, managing multiple projects or wanting a less active role in the process.
PSPs provide franchisees with complete choice over the level of support and the pricing they offer: placing orders and handling distribution, assisting with layout and design, or even beginning-to-end project management support overseeing every facet of a renovation from budget to timetable and everything in between.
“No two hotel owners are the same and because of that, renovation needs, including third-party support and assistance, will vary from one hotel to the next,” said Kellam. “With the addition of our Manufacturer Direct program, Wyndham now has one of, if not the most, robust offerings for franchisees looking to renovate their hotels. What’s more, regardless of which path a franchisee chooses, they can rest easy knowing they’re getting high-quality products that conform with their brand’s specific standards.”