Belmonte

RANDOLPH, N.J. – Longtime Asian American Hotel Owners Association collaborator and founder of Hospitality Solutions LLC Steven Belmonte has recently celebrated his company’s 500th hotel negotiation case.

The Randolph-based Hospitality Solutions provides new franchise agreement negotiations, franchise termination and liquidated damage claim negotiations, mediation, expert witness, litigation support, motivational speaking, market studies, feasibility studies, on-site analysis, ownership and development assistance to the hospitality and service industries. Since Belmonte founded the company in 2001, he says he has remained focused on helping hotel franchisees secure a solid, equitable franchise contract – or, similarly, an equitable franchise termination.

“Sure there were plenty of law firms out there, but more often that’s really not what owners’ need – unless of course they want nothing but a lawsuit,” said Belmonte, Hospitality Solutions’ president and chief executive officer. “My experience has been that many lawyers really don’t understand hotel franchising, and even fewer understand the climate and culture that exists at each of the numerous franchise companies.”

He explained that an attorney could be very expensive, charging by the hour, and oftentimes, taking months to complete a task. If an attorney does not understand or know the ins and outs of the franchise industry, Belmonte said he or she would need to learn – oftentimes at the hotelier’s expense.

“Now don’t get me wrong,” he said. “Attorneys are an integral part of the honorable and needed legal profession. But, if a hotelier wants to quickly and inexpensively negotiate a resolution to a specific issue, an experienced, knowledgeable hotel executive may be the best way to go.

“Attorneys only deal with attorneys, and we all know where that usually leads,” he added. “But when business people enter the picture, business people who truly understand the industry, the agreements, and the reality of what can and can not be done, oftentimes a good, viable solution is reached. That’s what Hospitality Solutions LLC has been doing for the past eight years – and we recently just settled our 500th case.”

Belmonte has hospitality roots having served as president and CEO of Cendant Corp.’s Ramada Hotels and executive vice president of the company’s hotel division. He also co-founded The Equity Hotel Corp. and served as chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation.

Starting Hospitality Solutions, Belmonte professed that he use his experience as a hotel owner, manager and franchisor and lend his knowledge to hotel owners facing termination fees (liquidated damages) or seeking help selecting and negotiating a fair franchise agreement.

“When I started Hospitality Solutions, it was the only company of its kind,” Belmonte said. “Now there are others out there that copy my model, including some attorneys. Unfortunately, some of these newcomers just don’t have the hotel industry background, relationships or wherewithal to be nearly as effective.”

According to Hospitality Solutions, 99 percent of all its clients get a significant reduction in termination fees.

Brent Rohde, Hospitality Solutions’ vice president, said he and countless industry peers and customers are happy to trumpet Belmonte’s experience and the company’s success: “Steve is not only a proven leader in the hotel industry, he also is a peacemaker who can reach just resolutions in disputes that should never reach a courtroom. It’s really great working with Steve day to day. He insists that all clients receive a high level of respect and that the very best deal is negotiated. It’s gratifying knowing that I honestly am working with my client’s best interests at heart – Steve demands it.”

Belmonte attributes a lot of his company’s success in franchise negotiations to the coveted relationships he holds with the major franchise companies.

“All the major franchise companies I work with understand that my goal is to reach a mutually-agreeable resolution without the expense and time of litigation or the aggravation and heartbreak that goes along with it,” he said. “We have a good working relationship with the franchise companies based on mutual respect and the common goal of avoiding litigation.

“I personally find the major franchise companies good to work with,” he added. “As long as the approach is with a cool head and with a reasonable dialogue, sensible business people working together are more apt to reach an agreement. But when a ‘pit bull’ attorney confronts them, it’s probably not going to settle without litigation, and more often than not, it will be to the hotel owners’ detriment.”

Belmonte said Hospitality Solutions charges a low, flat fee with a no-risk guarantee, adding that customers appreciate the simple, one-page agreements.

“As we reach our 500th case milestone, Brent and I hope to continue to work with hotel owners across the nation for many years to come,” Belmonte said.

Customers do not hesitate to laud Hospitality Solutions:

“I’ve used Steve’s company several times in the past and I highly recommend him. Nobody will get you better results,” said Mike Patel, president of Diplomat Hotels and former chairman of AAHOA.

“I had big problems and serious termination fees with my franchise company, but Steve and Brent got me out for free because of some special issues I was unaware of,” said Piyush Patel, a hotel owner from Tucson, Ariz.

“I’ve used Steve and Brent in two locations and each time my termination fees were significantly reduced. It was the best money I ever spent and the job was done quickly. They are great,” said Rachel Gerstein, a hotel owner from Los Angeles.