Hyatt Hotels has announced the signing of franchise agreements for its first two locations and a leadership appointment for its upper-midscale, extended-stay brand in the Americas, Hyatt Studios.

Hyatt Studios is the latest select hotel service brand within the Hyatt portfolio.

The franchise agreements were executed for Hyatt Studios' first two locations: one in Mobile, Alabama and the other in Marysville, California.

In April this year, Hyatt announced signing letters of interest for over 100 Hyatt Studios at the brand’s launch.

Hyatt expects this brand to be an essential accelerator, building on six years of net room growth.

Hyatt Studios global head Dan Hansen said: “Hyatt’s entry into these new markets with Hyatt Studios hotels exemplifies our commitment to developers, guests and World of Hyatt members.

“We’ve learned that when Hyatt guests stay with a competing brand, they appear to do so for one of two reasons: the absence of a Hyatt hotel within five miles or the choice to stay at a lower chain scale. By enabling guests to choose a Hyatt hotel in new markets, we grow brand loyalty without intra-brand competition and present more white-space options to developers.”

3H Group signed a franchise agreement with Hyatt to construct the inaugural Hyatt Studios hotel in Tillman’s Corner, outside of Mobile, Alabama.

Strategically located near Mobile Bay’s Gulf Coast, the site represents Hyatt’s first branded hotel in the rapidly expanding port city. This property is expected to open in late 2024.

Presidio Hotel Development has signed a franchise agreement with Hyatt for a 113-room Hyatt Studios hotel in downtown Marysville, California.

This property, located in Yuba County and part of the North Sacramento area, is expected to open in 2025.

Meanwhile, Hyatt veteran Jason Ballard has been promoted to the role of head of operations at Hyatt Studios.

Ballard will report directly to Dan Hansen. Most recently, Ballard served as Hyatt's vice president of franchise operations for Select Service.