Choice Hotels appoints Dominic Dragisich as President & CEO

Dragisich will assume his new role from August 31 and in his new role, he will build on brand’s recent momentum, execute our strategy, and drive long-term value for our franchisees and shareholders.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Dominic Dragisich as President and Chief Executive Officer and to the Board of Directors, effective August 31, 2026. Dragisich has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since May 20, 2026.

“Dom has been a proven, exceptional leader for nearly a decade at Choice Hotels. Since stepping into the role of Interim CEO, Dom has advanced strategic priorities and fostered a performance-driven culture across the company. He brings an innovative mindset, a deep appreciation for attracting and developing great talent, and a clear vision for the future of the business,” said Stewart Bainum Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors for Choice Hotels International.

Bainum added, “The Board conducted a comprehensive search and evaluated a strong slate of internal and external candidates. Through that process, we concluded that Dom is the right leader to build on Choice Hotels’ recent momentum, execute our strategy, and drive long-term value for our franchisees and shareholders.”

In his nearly 10 years with Choice Hotels, Dragisich has held roles of increasing responsibility across the company, including Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Global Brand Officer, and Chief Growth and Strategy Officer. He has played a pivotal role in the Company’s growth, helping lead major acquisitions and advancing key strategic initiatives that have expanded the Company’s portfolio, reinforced its competitive position, and created long-term value for franchisees and shareholders. 

Prior to joining Choice Hotels, Dragisich served as Chief Financial Officer at XO Communications, where he successfully returned the company to top-line growth and increased profitability. Earlier in his career, Dragisich held senior finance and operational positions at Marriott International, NII Holdings, and Deloitte Consulting.

On his appointment Dragisich commented, “With a talented team, a higher-quality portfolio, a more accretive and diverse pipeline, and significant opportunities ahead, we are entering this next chapter from a position of strength. We remain focused on disciplined execution, accelerating growth, and strengthening our brands capitalizing on our commercial investments. I am excited to continue advancing our strategy and helping our franchisees succeed while delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.”