“It’s the American dream to start a franchise, become an entrepreneur, or buy land,” said Zack Gharib, Red Roof's president. “Lending is a challenge in today’s economic landscape, and our partnership with Bridge will ease the process for current and potential owners, making the American dream more attainable.”
Bridge has facilitated more than $250 million in hospitality financing for developers and hospitality brands since 2024, the statement said. Its marketplace connects borrowers with lenders such as regional banks and nonbank sources, matching each loan to capital and providing transparency throughout.
“Red Roof is growing at a strong pace while expanding access for travelers,” said Mathur. “Our marketplace of more than 150 lenders will give owners access to loan opportunities typically reserved for the largest hospitality players, enabling further expansion.”
Tara Henderson, Red Roof’s chief financial officer, said the market is in the tightening phase of the capital cycle, with constrained liquidity, cautious underwriting and traditional lenders moving to the sidelines.
“But our franchisees are still building, buying and reinvesting, and they need access to capital that’s as resilient as they are,” she said. “This partnership with Bridge is about replacing friction with velocity. It’s about options, transparency, and the ability to match each project to the right lending solution in real time.”
Red Roof recently unveiled a new 80-room prototype and a brandwide focus on consistency, innovation and construction efficiency — initiatives to support franchisees. The Bridge partnership complements these efforts by giving owners faster access to capital for renovating assets and developing new properties.
In April, AAHOA and Bridge launched AAHOALending.com, a digital platform offering AAHOA members access to more than 150 lenders to compare financing options, find rates, and secure funding.
