Dolce Hotels and Resorts Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$462,649 - $50,788,009
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total US Locations
2
Business Summary
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. offers franchises for upper-upscale, full-service Dolce guest lodging facilities. These Dolce Hotels and Resorts properties are located in urban and resort destinations and feature inviting settings, sophisticated design, and state-of-the-art technology. Dolce caters to both leisure guests seeking distinct dining options and group guests attending conference events. Resort destinations may also offer amenities like golf, tennis/pickleball, spas, and wellness activities.
Corporate History
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. was established on June 29, 1995. It operates as a subsidiary of Wyndham Hotel Group, LLC, which acquired the Dolce Hotels and Resorts brand in February 2015. Wyndham Hotel Group is, in turn, a subsidiary of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (WHR). WHR was formed on May 31, 2018, following a tax-free spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide Corporation. Although other subsidiaries have managed Dolce hotels since 1981, Dolce International Holdings, Inc. specifically began offering franchises under the Dolce trade name in November 2022. The company does not currently own or manage any facilities operating under its proprietary marks or system.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$462,649 - $50,788,009
Franchise Fee (Low)
$50,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$87,500
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
3%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$29,400
Equipment Costs (High)
$4,125,695
Working Capital
$266,530
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the guarantor for Dolce International Holdings, Inc., presents a generally stable financial position. As of December 31, 2024, the company reported positive net income of $289 million and total assets exceeding total liabilities. However, the company's working capital was a low $1 million in 2024. The independent auditors highlighted a critical audit matter regarding the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program's deferred revenues and liability, noting that changes in estimated cost per point or redemption rates could materially affect the reported liability. The company is also involved in various litigation matters, with potential exposure of up to approximately $11 million in excess of recorded accruals, though it believes this will not materially impact its financial position or liquidity. The company also faces market risks from interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations.
Financing Details
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. offers several direct financing options to its franchisees. These include initial fee deferrals, which typically last up to 90 days or until the facility opens, with no interest unless payments are late. The franchisor also provides Development Incentive financing, which are loans for new construction and conversion hotels. These incentives are usually disbursed after the hotel opens and are forgiven annually over the term of the Franchise Agreement (1/20th or 1/15th of the original amount per year), with the balance only becoming repayable if the franchise terminates early or is transferred. These Development Incentive Notes bear no interest unless in default. Additionally, Dolce International Holdings, Inc. has special programs: the Women Own the Room (WOTR) Development Incentive, offering $2,500 per guest room (up to 50% of the franchisee's equity investment) for women-owned franchisees, along with operational guidance; and the Black Owners & Lodging Developers (BOLD) Support program, which may also include a Development Incentive for Black entrepreneurs. The company does not typically require additional security for these loans and does not sell, assign, or discount these financing arrangements to third parties.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
2
Franchised Units
2
Corporate Units
0
Franchising Since
2022
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
8
Litigation Summary
Dolce International Holdings, Inc.'s parent company and affiliates have been involved in several litigation cases. Currently, there are four pending cases. Three of these were filed in 2024: one is a breach of contract lawsuit in New Jersey where Wyndham Hotel Group and its affiliates are seeking fees and damages from LuxUrban Hotels, Inc., which has filed counterclaims; and two separate purported class action lawsuits in California alleging price fixing and unfair competition through revenue management software, with plaintiffs seeking damages and injunctive relief. The fourth pending case is a class action suit filed in 2014 in Canada against Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and its affiliates, alleging improper charges for a Destination Marketing Fee. In the past, there were six resolved cases against Dolce's parent company or affiliates. These included class action lawsuits from 2016 and 2018 alleging misleading resort fees and antitrust violations, both of which were settled. Other resolved cases from 2012-2014 involved allegations of surreptitiously recording telephone conversations and wrongful franchise terminations, with settlements reached in most instances. There is no litigation against Dolce International Holdings, Inc. specifically, and no litigation against its franchisees commenced in the past fiscal year.
Bankruptcy History
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Renewal Conditions
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. does not grant franchisees renewal rights. Instead, any continuation of the Facility's affiliation with the System is subject to the franchisee applying for a renewal franchise agreement at least six to nine months before expiration. The franchisee must meet the then-current requirements for new applicants, which include executing the current form of license and other agreements (potentially with materially different terms, higher fees, and substantial capital investment). They must also complete a property improvement plan and execute a general release of Dolce International Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. offers extensive support to its franchisees. Before opening, assistance includes approving the site based on a market feasibility study, developing a Property Improvement Plan (PIP) for conversions and transfers, reviewing architectural plans for new construction, and inspecting the facility for System Standards compliance. Franchisees receive the confidential Standards of Operation and Design Manual, specifications for required products/services, Approved Supplier information, and options for custom interior design review. Mandatory pre-opening services include general manager certification (Hospitality Management Program - HMP), opening training for staff, and digital photography services. Ongoing assistance includes continued access to updated manuals, System conferences (typically every 18-24 months), announced and unannounced inspections, and operational support via email, telephone, and periodic on-site field team visits. Franchisees gain access to a proprietary online platform (Wyndham Community/MyPortal) for brand-specific information and business tools. Dolce International Holdings, Inc. provides a Central Reservation System (CRS), a Signature Reservation Service (SRS) for agents to handle reservations, and optional comprehensive Revenue Management Services (RMS) at various levels. Franchisees also get access to a customer experience platform (Medallia) and a guest engagement platform (Wyndham Connect). An optional remote local sales service is also available. Advertising is managed through a Marketing Fund (3% of Gross Room Revenues) for national and other marketing, training, reservation, and sales initiatives. Computer systems provided include the CRS, a Property Management System (PMS) through Oracle OPERA Cloud (Standard/Premium levels), network connectivity, wireless high-speed Guest Internet, and access to a branded email account, data platforms, and an OTA reconciliation program. An optional Mobile Operations Program (MOP) with an Emergency Safety Device (ESD) feature is also available. Training is comprehensive, with mandatory HMP for general managers (approximately 34 hours, hybrid or virtual), Human Trafficking Prevention Training (1 hour), and Count on Us® Training (approximately 2.8 hours). New construction and conversion hotels receive mandatory on-site Opening Training (1-5 days, up to 70 hours of classroom and on-the-job training). Annual Continuing Education ($4,000/year) provides workshops, additional HMP attendance, online courses via Wyndham University, and service culture support. Optional New Owner Orientation and Customized Training are also available.
Initial Training Hours
70
Training Location
Corporate designated locations in Parsippany, NJ or central North America, and on-site at the franchisee's facility.
Ongoing Support
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. provides ongoing support through continuous access to the updated Standards of Operation and Design Manual. It organizes System conferences approximately every 18 to 24 months, which may be multi-brand events. The franchisor conducts both announced and unannounced inspections and/or mystery shops of the facilities to ensure quality. Operational support is available via email and telephone, complemented by periodic on-site visits from a field support team. Franchisees also have access to a proprietary online platform, currently called Wyndham Community/MyPortal, which offers brand-specific information, site reporting, industry insights, bill payment, marketing resources, Global Sales, Loyalty, and Revenue Management tools, as well as access to ratings and reviews and corporate communications. Information on Approved Suppliers is continuously provided. Dolce International Holdings, Inc. maintains a computerized Central Reservation System (CRS) and requires participation in its Signature Reservation Service (SRS) program, where professional agents handle reservation inquiries. Optional comprehensive Revenue Management Services (RMS) are offered at Standard, Premium, and Premium Plus levels for additional fees. Franchisees are provided access to a customer experience software platform (Medallia) and a designated guest engagement platform, Wyndham Connect, for mobile device-based guest communication. An optional remote local sales service is also available for a monthly fee. For an annual fee of $4,000, a comprehensive Continuing Education curriculum is provided for the entire hotel team, including regional workshops, annual HMP attendance, on-site Opening Training for new construction/conversion hotels, and access to Wyndham University, service culture support, and leadership development content. General managers are also required to attend an annual national leadership conference, and certain executive staff may be required to attend periodic regional meetings.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. seeks property owners as franchisees. While direct personal involvement in the day-to-day operation of the facility is not strictly required, Dolce International Holdings, Inc. recommends it. If franchisees choose not to manage the facility personally, they must hire a management company or an individual manager who possesses significant training and experience in the general management of similar lodging facilities. Dolce International Holdings, Inc. reserves the right to mandate the retention of an approved third-party manager or management company if the franchisee lacks substantial hotel management experience or if they are receiving a Development Incentive.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Commercial
Owner Participation
Absentee Allowed
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. states that franchisees will generally not receive an exclusive or protected territory. The franchise is for the development and operation of a single Dolce Chain Facility at a specified location. While the franchisor may, in its sole discretion, agree to some measure of territorial protection under certain business circumstances, there is no minimum protected territory offered. If granted, a territory may be defined as a radius from the front door of the facility, an irregular area bound by streets, highways, governmental boundaries, or natural features, or by latitude and longitude. However, any such protection would not prevent other hotels operating under different brands owned or managed by Dolce International Holdings, Inc. or its affiliates from operating in the same area.
Staffing Notes
Dolce International Holdings, Inc. mandates that each facility has a general manager who must successfully complete the Hospitality Management Program (HMP) and regularly undergo Human Trafficking Prevention Training and Count on Us training. For new construction and conversion hotels, Opening Training is required for the staff. The franchisor provides a comprehensive Continuing Education curriculum for the entire hotel team, which includes various forms of learning and development support. Franchisees are permitted to hire a management company or individual manager with substantial experience in similar lodging facilities if they choose not to personally manage the operations. Dolce International Holdings, Inc. may require a third-party manager if the franchisee lacks significant hotel management experience.