This paper compares plural form chains, i.e., chains in which franchised units
and company-owned units coexist, in terms of performance and more specifically in terms
of efficiency, to predominantly franchised chains and predominantly company-owned
ones. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) is implemented to assess the efficiency of
hotel chains in the French market. It is shown that plural form chains have a significantly
higher average efficiency score than predominantly franchised and company-owned ones.
Managerial implications are drawn for managing hotel chains.