IHG to open first Avid brand in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City continues to be a launchpad for new midscale hotel brands. Six months after Hilton launched its Tru brand in the city, IHG broke ground on its debut Avid property, fewer than three months after the midscale brand was first announced, and well ahead of initial plans.

The Avid Hotel Oklahoma City–Quail Springs is being developed by Champion Hotels, which will also operate the hotel. Champion Hotels is also the owner and operator of the Tru By Hilton Oklahoma City Airport. It owns numerous properties in Oklahoma City under myriad brands and the company calls itself the "largest privately held hotel operator in the United States, with over 150 franchised locations."

Since launching the brand, IHG said developer interest has piqued with more than 100 franchise applications received, including 34 which have already been converted to signed deals for Avid hotels across the U.S. The brand is now also franchise ready for Canada.

"Momentum is continuing and building," said Elie Maalouf, CEO for the Americas at IHG

The four-story, new-build property is slated to open during the third quarter of next year with 87 guestrooms. 

IHG's partnership with Champion is vast with more than 20 hotels either open or under development. Champion Hotels' CEO Champ Patel also serve on IHG's Avid Owner Advisory Board, helping them shape the brand. “There are a lot of reasons why we are here today, and we believe it's the right development group to launch our first hotel,” Maalouf said at the hotel's groundbreaking ceremony.