Restaurant India News: IHG Signs 117-Key Garner Hotel in Jagdalpur, Enters Chhattisgarh Market

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement to bring its midscale conversion brand Garner to Jagdalpur, marking the company’s first project in Chhattisgarh. The 117-key property will be developed by Freedom Hospitality and operated by United Hospitality Management (UHM), an existing third-party operator within IHG’s India network.

The signing reflects IHG’s continued push into secondary and underpenetrated markets, where branded supply remains limited but demand is rising due to infrastructure spending and local economic activity. Scheduled to open in 2029, the hotel is positioned to benefit from growth in the Bastar region, driven by mining, MSME expansion, and government-backed development initiatives.

Garner, launched as a conversion-focused brand, is designed to operate in the essentials segment with a cost-efficient model. It targets price-sensitive travellers looking for consistent standards backed by large distribution and loyalty systems. The brand’s structure allows faster market entry through conversions rather than new builds, which aligns with demand patterns in emerging Indian cities.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “Garner’s growth trajectory in India continues to be strong as we expand into emerging markets with high potential and our partnership with United Hospitality Management further strengthens our ability to scale the brand in these markets. Jagdalpur represents an important entry point into Chhattisgarh’s developing Bastar region, where infrastructure investment and economic diversification are creating new opportunities for quality accommodation. Garner’s efficient and flexible model combined with UHM’s strong local operational expertise, enables us to partner with owners to unlock this potential while delivering long-term value.”

Deepika Arora, Managing Director, United Hospitality Management (UHM), India, added. “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts with the signing of Garner Jagdalpur, a project that reflects the growing maturity of demand in India’s emerging destinations. At United Hospitality Management, our focus is on unlocking the full potential of such markets through a combination of operational discipline, local market insight, and brand-aligned execution. Garner’s conversion-friendly, scalable model is particularly well suited to these environments, enabling us to deliver consistent guest experiences while optimising asset performance. As we expand our Garner portfolio, we remain committed to building high-performing hotels that create long-term value for owners and resonate with the evolving needs of today’s value-conscious traveller.”

Bakhtyaar Khan, Managing Partner, Freedom Hospitality, said, “We are delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to introduce Garner to Jagdalpur. The region’s evolving economic landscape and growing demand for quality accommodation present a compelling opportunity. With IHG’s global expertise and the strong proposition of the Garner brand, we are confident the hotel will become a preferred choice for travellers while delivering strong returns for us.”

The deal highlights a broader shift in India’s hotel development cycle, where operators are increasingly targeting tier-2 and tier-3 cities for growth. In these markets, conversion-led brands like Garner reduce development timelines and capital exposure while allowing owners to align with global systems.

IHG currently operates 51 hotels across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, with a pipeline of 89 additional properties expected to open over the next three to five years, indicating sustained expansion in both metro and non-metro locations.