Bharat Patel – is a Multi-brand owner/operator who represents his Choice-flagged hotels through active participation and leadership in both the Econo Lodge Franchise Association and the Choice Hotels Owners Council, Florida Regional Advisory Board.  Bharat is a 25 + year veteran of the Hotel industry.   He began his career in 1982 in  Corbin, Ky -- home of the first KFC in the World. He continued his hospitality career in Florida with stops in Daytona Beach, Gainesville and Orlando.   Bharat is a graduate of the University of Florida  ( GO  Gators !). He is also a graduate of the Florida Leadership Training Institute.

 He currently serves on the AAHOA Industry & Franchise Relations Committee and is a Florida Suncoast AAHOA Ambassador. Bharat Patel is senior partner with Sunny Enterprises of Florida  and currently resides in Sarasota Florida and has built, developed and managed several Hotels and Hotel Brands including CHOICE, IHG, Best Western and Wyndham Brands throughout the Suncoast of Florida.