- Entrepreneur ranked Spark by Hilton No. 2 on its 2026 list of Top New & Emerging Franchises, recognizing the brand’s growth potential, operational strength and long-term staying power.
- Designed for travelers seeking a dependable stay at an affordable price point, Spark by Hilton focuses on the essentials guests value most while offering owners a flexible, conversion-friendly model within the Hilton system.
- The ranking is based on data points evaluating growth, financial strength, franchise support and operational performance, underscoring the strength of Spark’s model and trajectory.
As one of Hilton’s fastest-growing brands, Spark by Hilton was named the highest-ranked hotel brand on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Top New & Emerging Franchises list, earning the No. 2 spot overall and highlighting the brand’s rapid growth and momentum as a scalable, efficiency-led model for today’s market.
The ranking, based on more than 150 data points evaluating growth, financial strength, franchise support, and operational performance, underscores the effectiveness of Spark’s model and its trajectory. Spark sits at the intersection of two shifts shaping the industry: the growing demand for value-driven travel and owners’ increasing interest in conversion-led models that can expand quickly and operate consistently.
Spark was created to meet a specific need: a gap between price and consistency. Designed for travelers seeking a dependable stay at an affordable price point, the brand focuses on the essentials guests value most, delivered simply and reliably. At the same time, the model is built to keep pace with demand. Spark’s conversion-friendly approach creates a simpler path for owners to enter or expand within the Hilton system—bringing more hotels into the network while benefiting from Hilton’s distribution, loyalty platform, and global reach.
“At the heart of Spark by Hilton is a model designed to deliver for both travelers and owners—offering guests clean, comfortable, dependable stays at an affordable price point and owners a flexible, efficient, and built-to-scale option,” said Alissa Klees, brand leader, Spark by Hilton. “It’s been really exciting to see how quickly this model has resonated, and this recognition from Entrepreneur is a strong signal of the progress and opportunity still ahead.”
The simplicity of this model also supports speed. With an average timeline of 14 months from signing to opening, Spark is designed to reduce complexity and accelerate time to market, enabling hotels to open efficiently while delivering the stay guests expect from Hilton in a way that is uniquely Spark.
Early indicators point to the model’s strength, with performance trending above market benchmarks and reinforcing that a focused, essentials-first approach can grow effectively and repeatably across markets.
As more travelers prioritize value and simplicity—and more owners look for models that can scale efficiently in response —Spark is meeting both needs with a clear premise: quality and value should grow together, and both should be easy to deliver.
FAQ: Spark by Hilton Recognized by Entrepreneur as a Leading New Franchise Opportunity
What is Spark by Hilton?
Spark by Hilton is a smart value hotel brand designed to deliver clean, comfortable and dependable stays at an affordable price point, with a simple, consistent experience focused on the essentials guests value most.
What is Entrepreneur’s Top New & Emerging Franchises list?
The list ranks the top new and emerging franchise brands that began franchising in 2021 or later, highlighting newer concepts across industries with strong franchising potential.
How is the ranking determined?
Entrepreneur evaluates eligible brands using the same formula as its Franchise 500 ranking, scoring more than 150 data points across costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability.
What does “highest-ranked hotel brand” mean?
It means Spark by Hilton ranked above all other hotel brands included on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Top New & Emerging Franchises list.
How did Spark by Hilton rank overall?
Spark by Hilton earned the No. 2 spot overall on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Top New & Emerging Franchises list, reinforcing the brand’s momentum as a conversion-friendly hotel model for owners and a dependable, value-driven stay option for travelers.
Spark by Hilton
<a href=”https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/spark-by-hilton/”>Spark by Hilton</a> is a premium economy hotel brand at the intersection of value and consistency. Spark provides a reliable and comfortable stay with friendly service for every guest, all at an accessible price. With over 240 open locations, Spark hotels provide a welcoming sense of arrival with colorful accent walls and inspiring artwork. The public spaces provide multi-functional seating, from communal tables to rocking chairs, and guest rooms are comfortable and relaxing with simple, streamlined furniture. In the morning, breakfast is available to help you start your day. Spark’s groundbreaking impact on the hotel industry is credited with Hilton’s recognition as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies. Experience a positive stay at Spark by Hilton by booking at <a href=”https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/spark-by-hilton/”>sparkbyhilton.com</a> or through the industry-leading <a href=”https://www.hilton.com/en/p/hilton-honors-mobile-app/”>Hilton Honors app</a>. <a href=”https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton-honors-rewards-program/”>Hilton Honors</a> members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Spark by Hilton at <a href=”https://stories.hilton.com/brands/spark-by-hilton”>stories.hilton.com/spark</a>.
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