Minor Hotels announces fifth franchised hotel in Australia

Minor Hotels has announced its fifth franchised hotel in Australia, Oaks Redcliffe Mon Komo Suites, and has appointed a new director of franchising, Russell Cool, to spearhead its expansion plans.

Minor Hotels Australasia has already leveraged its strong market presence to create a world-class platform to take advantage of the anticipated boom in franchising in Australasia. They also seamlessly collaborate with owners and third-party operators. The company aims to reach 850 properties globally by the end of 2027.

Located on Brisbane’s north side, the addition of Oaks Redcliffe Mon Komo Suites further strengthens Minor Hotels’ Australasian franchise portfolio, which has already achieved significant success with recently franchised properties including Oaks Toowoomba Hotel, Oaks Townsville Metropole Hotel, Oaks Melbourne on William Suites, as well as the soon-to-open Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on the Sunshine Coast.

“Franchising is a key priority for us, and we are delighted to welcome Russell to this newly appointed position to drive our dynamic plans in this space,” Minor Hotels Australasia chief operating officer, Craig Hooley, said.

“Savvy hotel owners are increasingly discovering the myriad benefits of partnering with an established brand like Minor Hotels – global reach, comprehensive training, dedicated local support – whilst retaining control of their assets. Russell will be responsible for expanding our franchise network across the Australasia region, and his expertise will prove invaluable as he supports our growing portfolio of Minor Hotels franchisees.”

Cool is well-acquainted with Minor Hotels, having previously led operations for the company’s portfolio in Victoria and South Australia. Throughout his career, Cool has held senior positions with Onyx Hospitality and Langham Hotels, in addition to Minor Hotels. Most recently, he was the head of operations for a third-party hotel management company, where he oversaw multiple franchised hotels across various brands in both Australia and South Asia.

“I am thrilled to return to the Minor Hotels family at such a crucial time, and I look forward to helping grow the brand’s franchising footprint in the region,” Cool said. “Our partner, Lewis Land Group, Australia’s oldest private property developer, has a strong history of quality and excellence, and we are excited to collaborate on this project.”

“Minor hotels truly embodies the principle of ‘think global, act local’,” Lewis Land Group Queensland regional manager, Chris Alison, said. “With their strong brand presence and dedicated local team, we are excited to see continued success together.”

All Minor Hotels’ franchise operators receive extensive training and on-the-ground assistance in areas such as operations, marketing, and head office support to drive strong occupancy rates and boost profitability.