Hilton Worldwide Development Process

From your first phone call to your first day of business, you'll have support from a dedicated project director. Their expertise, coupled with the operational and marketing resources of Hilton Worldwide, makes developing and opening one of our properties a rewarding and profitable venture.

Develop a Property in 21 Steps

step
01
Reach out to us.
Your assigned Hilton Worldwide developer gives you a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and a franchise sales kit, and works with you on a market.
step
02
Find out more about our Franchise Program.
You sign, date and return the FDD receipt to your Hilton Worldwide developer. The developer discusses the site and market with you, and may visit the site.
step
03
Location, location, location.
Gain site control (i.e., purchase contract, option to purchase, etc.), if you do not already own or lease the site. We may require you to prepare a market study that discusses the competition for your proposed hotel and anticipated operating results.
step
04
There's even an app for this.
Complete the Franchise License Application and include a site plan, and send it to the Hilton Worldwide developer with the initial fee. The developer reviews the completed application and forwards it to Development Contract Administration. We conduct a background check of you and your principals (this process usually takes 2 weeks if the information you submitted is complete).
step
05
We'll introduce you to Hilton Worldwide.
As a courtesy, we notify existing franchisees in the area. In evaluating your application, we may consider any relevant market information brought to our attention by existing Hilton Worldwide franchisees in the area.
step
06
Getting the green light.
The developer submits a project summary to the Hilton Worldwide Franchise Development Committee members for approval. The process usually takes 30 to 60 days.
step
07
Welcome to the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands.
Development Contract Administration sends you an approval letter and a franchise license agreement. Carefully read the entire document and check it for design and construction deadlines.
step
08
Make it official.
Sign the franchise license agreement by the deadline and return it to Development Contract Administration.
step
09
Get your new team together.
Contact your Hilton Worldwide project manager to set up a pre-design meeting with you and your architect. The project manager will give you a Hilton Worldwide Standards Manual, and related materials. You may also obtain these items from the Architecture & Construction section of this website. The project manager explains what to expect.
step
10
Work with talent you know.
Submit a résumé for an interior designer and architect for review and approval by Hilton Worldwide.
step
11
Share your ideas with us.
Send preliminary plans and specifications to the Hilton Worldwide project manager for review and comments.
step
12
We'll share our ideas.
Incorporate comments; submit 50 percent plans and specifications for review and comments.
step
13
Cleared for takeoff.
Incorporate comments and submit 100 percent plans and specifications. (Submit plans to your local Building Department for approval.) When you have included final comments from the project manager & from the local Building Department, return the plans to Hilton Worldwide for issuance of final set.
step
14
Find the right person for the right job.
Submit a résumé for a contractor for review and approval by Hilton Worldwide.
step
15
Let's build something special.
Notify your project manager when construction begins and your hotel will be designated officially "under construction."
step
16
We'll stay in the loop.
Give your project manager monthly updates/reports. The project manager may visit the site up to three times during construction for inspections.
step
17
Start the countdown.
As your hotel nears completion, talk with your project manager and establish a specific opening date.
step
18
A final once-over.
Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from your local Building Department and fax to the project manager. The project manager visits the hotel and completes a preopening checklist approximately four to seven days before scheduled opening.
step
19
Boot-up the system.
About two days before opening, our Hilton Worldwide technology specialists install the required property management system computer equipment. They stay until two days after opening to help train your team.
step
20
Open a quality hotel.
The Hilton Worldwide Quality Assurance team (QA) arrives the day of your scheduled opening to review outstanding construction items and an operational checklist. QA verifies that the hotel is ready to open. QA has final approval to open the hotel.
step
21
Welcome your guests to your Hilton location.
Unlock the doors and invite guests to enjoy your hospitality.
Approval Process
Design and Construction
01
Contact Us
02
Access Franchise Info
03
Choose Location
04
Submit Application
05
Introduce Yourself
06
Get Approved
07
Review Approval
08
Sign & Deliver
09
Assemble Team
10
Choose an Architect
11
Share Ideas
12
Gather Feedback
13
Resubmit Plans
14
Choose a Contractor
15
Begin Construction
16
Stay in Contact
17
Set a Target
18
Review
19
Get Connected
20
Open the Doors
21
Welcome Guests