Hotel development isn’t just about picking a brand. It’s about relationships, market truth, and knowing when to say no.

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan Fish sits down with Tom Busch, a seasoned hotel development executive with decades of experience across major hospitality brands. Tom shares an unfiltered look at how hotel deals really get done—from franchise selection and site viability to owner expectations, lender confidence, and navigating economic cycles.

This conversation goes deep into the realities behind hotel development decisions and why long-term success depends on honesty, experience, and trust.

In this episode, we cover:

• How relationships drive hotel development more than brand names
• Why not every project should move forward—and who needs to say it
• The role brands play in financing, risk reduction, and performance
• Market cycles, overbuilding vs. “under-demolishing,” and timing projects right
• Why owners, guests, and brands often want different things
• The real cost of bad assumptions in hotel design, location, and positioning

If you’re a hotel owner, developer, operator, or investor—or considering entering hospitality—this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective you won’t hear in a pitch deck.

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of hospitality, travel, and real estate.

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