Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Franchising, Marketing and Reservation Activities

v3.20.2
Franchising, Marketing and Reservation Activities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Franchisors [Abstract]  
Franchising and Marketing and Reservation Activities
7. FRANCHISING, MARKETING AND RESERVATION ACTIVITIES
Royalties and franchise fee revenues on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income include initial franchise fees of $5 million and $4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
In accordance with its franchise agreements, generally Wyndham Hotels is contractually obligated to expend the marketing and reservation fees it collects from franchisees for the operation of an international, centralized, brand-specific reservation system and for marketing purposes such as advertising, promotional and co-marketing programs, and training for the respective franchisees. Additionally, the Company is required to provide certain services to its franchisees, including technology and purchasing programs.
Development advance notes
The Company may, at its discretion, provide development advance notes to certain franchisees or hotel owners in order to assist them in converting to one of Wyndham Hotels’ brands, in building a new hotel to be flagged under one of Wyndham Hotels’ brands or in assisting in other franchisee expansion efforts. Provided the franchisee/hotel owner is in compliance with the terms of the franchise/management agreement, all or a portion of the development advance notes may be forgiven by Wyndham Hotels over the period of the franchise/management agreement, which typically ranges from 10 to 20 years. Otherwise, the related principal is due and payable to Wyndham Hotels. In certain instances, Wyndham Hotels may earn interest on unpaid franchisee development advance notes. Such interest was immaterial for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
As a result of COVID-19 and the significant negative impact it has had on travel demand, the Company performed a qualitative assessment on its development advance notes and determined that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of those assets are recoverable from future expected cash flows as of June 30, 2020.
The following tables set forth the amounts recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements related to development advance notes:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
June 30,
2020
 
December 31, 2019
Development advance notes (a)
$
85

 
$
84

_____________________
(a)
Included within other non-current assets.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Forgiveness of notes (a)
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
4

 
$
4

Bad debt expense related to notes

 
1

 
1

 
2

______________________
(a)
Amounts are recorded as a reduction of royalties and franchise fees and marketing, reservation and loyalty revenues.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2020
 
2019
Payments of development advance notes
$
(6
)
 
$
(9
)
Proceeds from development advance notes

 
1

Payments of development advance notes, net
$
(6
)
 
$
(8
)