Abstract

The case study “OYO – From a Startup to a Global Hotel Chain” describes the journey of an Indian startup from its inception to its becoming a global hotel chain. The case study weaves the story of the company since it began in 2012 as Oravel Stays and Private Ltd. (Oravel). The rebranding of Oravel into “OYO Hotels and Rooms” in 2013 and OYO’s business model before and after the remodeling (2017) are discussed. OYO’s marketing strategy, financing, and operational strategies are also elaborated on. The case also takes a look at OYO’s domestic and global expansions till date. Its strategy to enhance customer satisfaction with the help of technology is discussed as well. The case concludes with the future plans of the company in terms of global expansion and how it aims to become the largest hotel chain in the world.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• The gaps in the hospitality industry and how OYO redefined it.
• The strategies adopted by a startup to grow from a local player to a global hotel chain.
• How a startup company sensed opportunities in the business environment and seized them to launch new services.
• How an entrepreneur overcomes the challenges in a competitive business environment.
• How startups with innovative business models are disrupting the traditional vertical industries.

Keywords

OYO; Entrepreneurship; Bread and Basket joints; Aggregator model; Franchise model; Rebranding; Remodeling; Acquisitions; Partnerships; Technology; Expansions; Analytics; Data Science; Tourism; Budget Hotels