The Owner's Lounge

Episode 7 of The Owner’s Lounge

Episode 6 of The Owner’s Lounge takes a hard look in the mirror — at our country, our media, and even our own industry. In this special “Rewind” edition, Sandip Patel and Jerry Stucchi unpack what the American Dream really means today and whether it’s still within reach. From government overreach to media bias to the silence within our own hotel community, this episode calls out what’s broken — an...

In Episode 5 of The Owner’s Lounge, Sandip takes us straight to Washington, D.C. for AAHOA’s annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Week. From meeting with lawmakers to interviewing fellow hoteliers, this episode captures the energy, urgency, and real-life impact of speaking up for the hospitality industry. If you’ve ever wondered why advocacy matters—or how one voice can ripple into billions of dollars in...

Episode 4 of The Owner’s Lounge is all about advocacy—who’s really fighting for hotel owners, what battles matter most right now, and how we can finally bring balance back to the franchising relationship. Sandip Patel and Jerry Stucchi dive into the realities of franchise agreements, rising costs, and the power of collective action, while also pulling back the curtain on how groups like AAHOA and...

In Episode 3 of The Owner’s Lounge , host Sandip Patel sits down with Utica Mayor Mike Galime for a wide-ranging conversation that proves hotels and hospitality are about much more than heads in beds. From tourism’s impact on local economies to the growing challenges of Airbnbs, minimum wage hikes, and insurance costs, this episode shines a spotlight on how city leadership and hotel owners can wor...

In the very first episode of The Owner’s Lounge , Sandip Patel and Gennaro Di Luigi dive straight into the big questions hotel owners are asking: what’s really happening with the major hotel brands, and how do franchisees make sure they’re getting a fair shake? From stock price rollercoasters to the everyday realities of building, financing, and maintaining hotels, the conversation balances indust...

Host Sandip Patel sits down with New York State Senator Joseph Griffo for an in-depth, candid conversation about how legislation intersects with hotel ownership, small business, and the hospitality industry at large. From insurance headaches to frivolous lawsuits to the very real impact of credit card fees, this episode peels back the curtain on how laws made in Albany (and beyond) ripple into you...