Material RevPAR Recovery and Domestic Outperformance
Global RevPAR improved 450 basis points sequentially from Q4. U.S. RevPAR (excluding prior-year hurricane impact) improved over 600 basis points to essentially flat, ahead of the company's prior down 2% to down 3% expectation; February and March each showed +1% growth and April month-to-date remained consistent with that pace. The three largest U.S. states (Texas, California, Florida) improved 800 basis points sequentially (from down 11% in Q4 to down 3% in Q1).
Strong Development Momentum and Record Pipeline
Net room growth of ~4% for the system; global pipeline grew for the 23rd consecutive quarter to a record >259,000 rooms (over 2,200 hotels). U.S. pipeline increased to a record ~110,000 rooms; domestic new contracts awarded rose 8%. Company notes rooms entering the system carry a ~30% PPAR premium, with historical entry PPAR ~40% above system average.
Ancillary Revenue and Loyalty Program Strength
Ancillary revenues increased 21% in the quarter (driven largely by the renewed co-branded credit card). Wyndham Rewards occupancy contribution rose 120 basis points to a record 54% domestically; global membership enrollments increased ~10% YoY to 124 million members and aggregate length of stay grew 6%.
Technology and AI Investment Delivering Owner Economics
Over $450 million invested in technology/AI. More than 1,100 hotels live on Wyndham Connect+ AI voice agents and nearly 5,000 franchisees on Wyndham Connect; the company cites ~300 basis points of incremental direct contribution for hotels using the voice agents, handle times improved ~25%, and an uptick of ~400 basis points in guest satisfaction. Management highlighted real-world owner economics including incremental ancillary revenue examples (e.g., ~$120k incremental for engaged economy hotels, ~$150k for engaged mid-scale hotels, and up to multihundred-thousand to multi-million opportunities in higher-end/full-service examples).
Solid Financial Results and Capital Returns
Generated $64 million of free cash flow in Q1 and returned $85 million to shareholders ($51M share repurchases, $34M dividends). Net revenues were $327 million (up ~3% YoY) and adjusted EBITDA was $156 million. The company ended the quarter with ~ $1.1 billion of total liquidity and a net leverage ratio of 3.5x (midpoint of target range).
Affirmed/Improved 2026 Outlook
Raised global RevPAR outlook to a range of -1% to +1% and reaffirmed full-year global net room growth guidance of 4%–4.5% (excluding potential Revo termination impacts). Net revenues are now expected to be $1.47B–$1.50B; adjusted EBITDA guidance remains $730M–$745M; adjusted diluted EPS guidance remains $4.62–$4.80 (adjusted net income range updated to $351M–$365M to reflect higher interest expense).
International Development Expansion
International net rooms increased 9% in Q1. Regional net room growth: EMEA +7%, Latin America & Caribbean +12%, Southeast Asia & Pacific +11%, Mainland China +13% (double-digit net room growth for direct franchising). These additions help drive higher royalty rates and development-driven revenue mix improvements.