Carlson notchesa bumper year
Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, whose stable of hotel and restaurant names include Radisson and TGI Friday's, reported record-breaking sales of $6.4b (£4.36b) during 2000.
The turnover figure includes sales to guests by all the private company's hotels, restaurants and cruise ships, whether company-owned and managed or franchise operations. They do not cover leases or franchise fees.
In general, the company tends to own and manage businesses in the USA and franchise those outside, although there are exceptions. A spokesman estimated that around 80% of total businesses are franchised.
Carlson added 203 new businesses to its portfolio during 2000, ending the year with more than 1,350 premises in 79 countries.
Carlson Hotels Wordwide includes Radisson Hotels and Resorts, which added 40 new hotels in 2000 to bring its total to 420, with 99,912 bedrooms across 58 countries. In the UK, the chain is licensed to Radisson SAS and to Radisson Edwardian.
The Country Inns and Suites by Carlson chain expanded by 45 hotels to 248, while plans were announced to boost the Park Inn and Park Plaza brands from 80 to 200 over the next three years.
Regent International entered the luxury time-share market with Club Regent in Utah.
TGI Friday's, Carlson's big international restaurant name, which is licensed to Whitbread in the UK, moved into its 50th country last year. It now has 182 restaurants outside the USA.
by Angela Frewin
