The departure of Choice Hotels International
outgoing CEO Steve Joyce has hastened the company's previously announced succession
plan. Current president and COO Patrick Pacious will assume the role of president
and CEO and will join Choice's board of directors on Sept. 12. While Pacious'
start date moves up from Jan. 1, 2018, he already led the company's second-quarter
earnings call last week. The previous plan was for Joyce to become vice
chair of Choice's board of directors. Instead, Joyce has been named CEO of
Applebee's and IHop parent company DineEquity. Joyce has served on DineEquity's
board for five years. He will step down entirely from Choice's board and start
as DineEquity CEO on Sept. 12.