UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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| Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On September 29, 2026, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (the “Company”) and Patrick Cimerola, the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer (“CHRO”), agreed that Mr. Cimerola would transition from his role as CHRO at the end of 2026.
Following his transition from CHRO, effective January 1, 2027, Mr. Cimerola is expected to remain an employee of the Company through June 30, 2027 (the “Separation Date”), serving as a special advisor to facilitate continuity of leadership and an orderly transition, and to assist the Company with certain strategic initiatives. During the time that he serves as a special advisor, Mr. Cimerola will receive a base salary of $25,000 per month, and will continue to participate in the Company’s benefit plans and executive perquisite programs. He will not be eligible for any future equity award grants or a cash bonus for the 2027 fiscal year, although he will be entitled to continue to vest in accordance with the written terms of previously granted and unvested equity awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans.
In connection with his anticipated separation from the Company on the Separation Date, the Company and Mr. Cimerola agreed that he will thereafter be entitled to benefits associated with a termination without cause in accordance with the Company’s compensation and benefits plans and the Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation & Severance Benefit Agreement entered into by and between Mr. Cimerola and the Company on August 1, 2011, as amended on December 31, 2025, utilizing his base salary rate that is in effect on December 31, 2026.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: October 1, 2026 | /s/ Jeffrey W. Lobb | |||||
| Jeffrey W. Lobb | ||||||
| Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary | ||||||