Belmonte and Isola to Lead Fanchise-services Consulting Group

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. October 14, 2008

MARCH 22, 2007. Steven J. Belmonte, President and C.E.O. of Hospitality Solutions LLC and also President and C.E.O. of The Lexington Collection, has named 15-year hospitality industry veteran Charles Isola as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the full-service franchise consulting firm. Isola previously worked with Belmonte at Cendant Hotel Group (now Wyndham Worldwide) when Belmonte served as President of Ramada Hotels.

Hospitality Solutions LLC 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, and tax credit and benefits services to the hospitality and service industries.

Before accepting this position, Isola served as Senior Director of Retention Services for Cendant, where he was responsible for working with franchisees to help resolve issues involved with their franchise agreements. He was responsible for initiating and negotiating contracts with prospective franchises; selling and managing agreements with customers; and interacting with administrators and corporate managers on a consistent basis to meet quotas and expand market penetration. He also recommended new processes that streamlined and increased efficiency of franchise transfer contract negotiations.

"Charles and I are a darn good team," Belmonte said. "We've known each other for many years and together we've tackled some of the industry's toughest franchisor / franchisee issues. Charles is recognized by many to be one of the industry's best franchise negotiators because he truly understands the franchise issues and the inter workings of the hotel brands.

"I'm thrilled that he has agreed to come aboard and contribute his years of contract-negotiating and dispute-resolution experience to our clients," Belmonte said. "Charles is a guy who has the best interests of all parties at heart in negotiating agreements and resolving disputes."

Integrity, Fairness is Paramount

The franchisee/franchisor relationship is one that is riddled with natural conflict, Isola said. Therefore, franchisees need a fair, impartial advocate to try to resolve any disputes that may arise fairly for both parties and without bias. That's what Hospitality Solutions offers, and what attracted him to taking the post, he said.

"I enjoy seeing people succeed - especially my colleagues and customers in the hospitality industry," Isola said. "Doing the right thing in order to help customers progress in their business is very important to me. As EVP and COO of Hospitality Solutions LLC, I pledge to bring resolve quickly and fairly to customers with integrity. The best deal is one where everyone wins."

Isola said the ability to work with Belmonte again helped to solidify his decision to join the company.

"Steve is one of my favorite people," Isola said. "He's fair 100% of the time; He always gives a straight answer; and, He's pleasant to talk to -- even though at times you get an answer you don't want to hear, you know it's the right answer," he said. "Those are the qualities franchisees need in a partner who is negotiating on their behalf with a franchisor - whether those negotiations involve exiting an existing franchise agreement with lowered liquidated damages or negotiating a new, fair franchise agreement.

"At Hospitality Solutions LLC, franchisees know that they are being represented by a company that is built on integrity, fairness, and doing what's right in everyone's best interest," Isola added. "It is with extreme pleasure that I take on this role and a real honor to be reunited with Steve Belmonte."

Isola replaces Thomas Giuliano who left Hospitality Solutions LLC to pursue other ventures. His appointment is effective immediately, and he will work from the company's new Dallas office which was established to help meet growing regional demand for services.