Defining Hospitality

Gary Brandeis, CEO of Scholar Hotels, joins Dan Ryan to talk about a strategy most hoteliers never even consider: betting everything on college towns. Gary explains why a large public university like Penn State makes for one of the most stable demand drivers in hospitality, and how his company has grown to nearly 1,000 rooms in State College alone. The conversation dives into his real estate investor first, hospitality operator second philosophy, the wild 16 month renovation of the historic Nittany Lion Inn, and his new Regulation A offering that lets everyday fans, not just accredited investors, own a piece of the hotels they love to visit. It is a masterclass in finding your niche, going deep instead of wide, and turning community passion into capital.

About the Guest: 

Gary Brandeis is the CEO of Scholar Hotels, a hotel executive and real estate investor who has spent 35 years working with major brands like Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG while building a specialized portfolio around university markets. He has also launched award winning real estate technology companies focused on innovation and tenant experience, proving he is just as comfortable disrupting the model as he is running it. What makes Gary worth listening to is his willingness to buck conventional investment wisdom, concentrating his business in college towns like State College, Pennsylvania, and turning that focus into one of the most consistent and creative hospitality plays in the industry today.

Chapters:
00:00 Why Hospitality Matters

00:25 Meet Gary Brandeis

01:04 Penn State Roots and Nittany Lion

03:09 A Thousand Rooms in State College

07:22 Hospitality Meets Profitability

12:22 College Town Brands and Graduate

16:49 Graduate Growth and Real Estate Risks

20:00 Democratizing Hotel Investing Reg A

32:46 Scaling Investor Communication

35:08 Investor Updates Tech

35:57 Radical Transparency

36:42 University Demand Engine

38:44 Crowdfunding Reg A Basics

40:37 Targeting Superfans Social

44:28 Nittany Lion Inn Turnaround

46:08 Choosing The Right Designer

50:14 Hands On Ownership Grit

58:17 University Hotels Investment Thesis

Quote of the Show:
"If we don't make a profit and we don't invest well, our ability to provide a good experience for our guests is significantly hindered." - Gary Brandeis

Building a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.

Links:

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

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