How Hampton by Hilton Expanded to 46 Countries, Even As Hotel Prices Rose 20%
At #8 on our Franchise 500, their brand’s strategy is simple: “It’s about the feeling you get when you walk through the door.”
This story appears in the January 2026 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
To view our entire 2026 Franchise 500 list, including category rankings, click HERE.
With strong name recognition comes strong consumer expectations. Hampton by Hilton’s growth strategy is meeting those expectations.
Hampton by Hilton is a name that travelers know, with a reputation for consistency. That, combined with the brand’s affordable, upper-midscale price point, is an increasingly appealing offering, especially as consumers feel the squeeze on their wallets. The cost of travel in the U.S. was up more than 20% compared to prepandemic levels, according to an October report from the U.S. Travel Association; hotel prices are a big contributor, with lodging alone seeing a nearly 10% spike.
“As costs rise, expectations rise,” says Shruti Gandhi Buckley, senior vice president and global brand leader for Hampton by Hilton. “We’ve doubled down on our service messaging and training with our hotels to continue delivering that consistency. It’s not about the hotels looking the same; it’s about the feeling you get when you walk through the door. The warm welcome, a quality hot breakfast, gyms, and public areas to unwind.”
This strategy has worked. The hotel chain has been in the Franchise 500 Top 10 for four years in a row, rising to No. 8 this year after placing ninth last year. The brand’s consistency appeals to international markets too: Hampton by Hilton now operates in 46 countries, and continues its push into new regions.
Related: This One Thing Is the Secret to Hampton by Hilton’s 40-Year Reign In the Hotel Industry
“We’re looking at markets that have historically been more focused on higher-end products, or regional products that maybe have been inconsistent,” Gandhi Buckley says, pointing to the brand’s recent Caribbean debut in St. Thomas. “There’s a lot of interest in leisure markets.”
In early 2025, a new partnership with South Asian hotel management group Nile Hospitality was announced, with the promise of 75 locations in India in the years ahead. “International markets are excited about Western brands that have this endorsement of quality by Hilton,” Gandhi Buckley says. “The owner gets a model they know and trust.”
Now they also get a model that can be tailored to their needs. With more than 3,100 locations worldwide, Hampton by Hilton recognizes that one-size-fits-all is an impossibility. Instead, a recent updated design prototype, currently rolling out across locations via renovations and new builds, prioritizes flexibility for both guests and owners.
“That flexible prototype lets owners make decisions based on site requirements, which makes it a strong investment model for any market that is affordable to build,” Gandhi Buckley says. “That applies not just in the U.S., but globally.”
Related: Hampton by Hilton Now Has Over 3,000 Hotels Worldwide. What’s the Brand Doing to Stay On Top?
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To view our entire 2026 Franchise 500 list, including category rankings, click HERE.
With strong name recognition comes strong consumer expectations. Hampton by Hilton’s growth strategy is meeting those expectations.
Hampton by Hilton is a name that travelers know, with a reputation for consistency. That, combined with the brand’s affordable, upper-midscale price point, is an increasingly appealing offering, especially as consumers feel the squeeze on their wallets. The cost of travel in the U.S. was up more than 20% compared to prepandemic levels, according to an October report from the U.S. Travel Association; hotel prices are a big contributor, with lodging alone seeing a nearly 10% spike.
