LivSmart Studios by Hilton

The vendor opportunity at LivSmart Studios by Hilton

LivSmart Studios by Hilton is an extended-stay lodging concept with a current footprint of just 2 franchised units, as disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. The brand’s average unit volume (AUV) is not reported, and year-over-year unit growth data is not available. For software vendors, the immediate total addressable market is negligible. However, understanding the corporate-controlled technology environment is essential for any vendor monitoring Hilton’s brand portfolio for future expansion signals.

The royalty fee is set at 6.0% of gross revenues, and the initial franchise term runs for 22 years. Critically, the FDD explicitly states that franchisees do not have the right to renew or extend the agreement. This creates a locked-in, long-cycle environment where software displacement is only likely if Hilton initiates a brand-wide technology migration.

Who controls software purchasing

All technology decisions for LivSmart Studios flow through Hilton’s corporate headquarters in Virginia. The 2026 FDD lists Christopher Silcock as President, Global Brands and Commercial Services, a role that typically oversees the commercial and technology strategy across Hilton’s brand portfolio. Other named executives include CEO Christopher J. Nassetta, CFO Kevin J. Jacobs, General Counsel Caroline Krass, and Chief Development Officer Christian Charnaux. Vendors should treat this as a top-down, HQ-controlled buying center with no franchisee autonomy over core systems.

Mandated and current tech stack

The FDD mandates a comprehensive, Hilton-proprietary technology stack. The required systems are: Adyen for payment processing; GRO; the Hilton Honors loyalty platform; the Hilton Property Management System (HPMS); OnQ, OnQ Rate & Inventory, and OnQ Rate and Inventory Management for property and revenue management; and the Property Engagement Platform (PEP). This is a closed ecosystem with no room for third-party alternatives in these functional areas. Any vendor not already embedded in the Hilton enterprise architecture faces a near-impossible displacement challenge at the property level.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The available FDD extract contains no signal from Item 8 regarding designated or approved suppliers, so the formal procurement model remains unclear from this document. The renewal landscape is definitive: franchisees have no contractual right to renew. With a 22-year initial term and only 2 units open, there are no natural contract expiration windows on the horizon that would create software evaluation opportunities. Vendors should monitor Hilton’s corporate technology announcements and any new brand initiatives rather than expecting grassroots adoption from this franchise base.

How to read the LivSmart Studios by Hilton FDD

The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document is the authoritative source for the legal and operational relationship between Hilton and its LivSmart Studios franchisees. It details the mandated technology stack, fee structure, and the absence of renewal rights. The full PDF is embedded below for your review. For vendors building a prioritized list of franchise sales targets, FranCloud can help you rank opportunities by decision-maker level, tech stack openness, and unit growth trajectory.