---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-232581"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CHH"
cik: "0001046311"
company_name: "CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE"
filed_at: "2026-05-20T20:10:20+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-20T20:11:53.497768+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Choice Hotels CEO Patrick Pacious steps down; Dominic Dragisich named interim CEO

## Summary
- Patrick Pacious steps down as President & CEO effective May 20, 2026; will serve as advisor through Aug 31, 2026.
- Dominic Dragisich, former CFO and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, appointed Interim CEO effective May 20, 2026.
- Board will conduct search for permanent CEO, considering internal and external candidates.
- Separation agreement includes cash severance of 200% of base salary + target bonus, equity vesting, and benefits.
- Company reaffirms full-year 2026 financial outlook provided on April 30, 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-232581
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CHH
- cik: 0001046311
- company_name: CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE
- filed_at: 2026-05-20T20:10:20+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1046311/000119312526232581/0001193125-26-232581-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1046311/000119312526232581/d228027d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-232581
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-232581.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-232581.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Dominic E. Dragisich was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Dominic E. Dragisich, the Company’s Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, as the Company’s Interim CEO, effective May 20, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1046311/000119312526232581/0001193125-26-232581-index.htm
- Executive change
  Patrick S. Pacious departed as President & Chief Executive Officer at CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE.
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: President & Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Patrick S. Pacious will step down as the Company’s President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), effective May 20, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1046311/000119312526232581/0001193125-26-232581-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.