IHG has been franchising for more than five years. Franchising has allowed IHG to expand rapidly across the world, with over 4,000 hotels franchise agreements. Franchisees own the hotel and are licensees of the brands. Franchisees benefit from branding their hotels with a well-known name, tools such as revenue management and marketing programmes to drive new business, a powerful loyalty system and reservation system.
| Year established | 1952 |
| Year franchise established in Europe | 1988 |
| Number of units in Europe | 662 |
| Number of units worldwide (excluding UK) | 5,063 |
Corporate Responsibility
Charities, sponsorship
The IHG Foundation was launched in February 2016. The aim of the foundation is stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities around the world. The foundation helps communities develop hospitality skills, support those affected by disasters, facilitate local community investment and protect the environment.
Environment
IHG use an online stability tool to help minimise their hotels' impact on the environment. The IHG Green Engage system measures energy, carbon, water and waste, recommends 200 Green Solutions to reduce impact and supports hotels to create environmental action plans and targets. The system provides guidance to hotels on how to manage waste and dispose of waste, and how to reduce food waste.