Intangible assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

The components of franchising rights and other intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	As of December 31, 2016						As of December 31, 2015
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Value
Unamortized Intangible Assets
Trademarks ⁽¹⁾	$	1,014	$	—	$	1,014	$	1,014	$	—	$	1,014

Amortized Intangible Assets
Capitalized SaaS Licenses⁽²⁾	5,007		313		4,694		—		—		—
Franchise Rights ⁽³⁾	81,062		80,829		233		81,169		80,685		484
Trademarks ⁽⁴⁾	12,672		9,261		3,411		12,004		8,628		3,376
Contract Acquisition Costs ⁽⁵⁾	4,943		670		4,273		5,102		203		4,899
Acquired Lease Rights ⁽⁶⁾	2,237		124		2,113		2,237		62		2,175
	105,921		91,197		14,724		100,512		89,578		10,934
Total	$	106,935	$	91,197	$	15,738	$	101,526	$	89,578	$	11,948


⁽¹⁾	Acquisition of the Suburban brand. The tradename is expected to generate future cash flows for an indefinite period of time.


⁽²⁾	Software licenses capitalized under a SaaS agreement are amortized over a period of 3 to 5 years.


⁽³⁾	Represents the purchase price assigned to long-term franchise contracts. The unamortized balance relates primarily to the acquisition of the Econo Lodge, Suburban and Choice Hotels Australia franchise rights. The franchise rights are being amortized over lives ranging from 5 to 25 years on a straight-line basis.


⁽⁴⁾	Generally amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 8 to 40 years.


⁽⁵⁾	Customer contracts acquired in a business combination. Amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 5 to 12 years.


⁽⁶⁾	Acquired lease rights recognized in conjunction with the acquisition of an office building. The costs are being amortized over the 36 year term of the lease in place.

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $1.8 million, $3.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

The estimated annual amortization expense related to the Company’s amortizable intangible assets for each of the years ending December 31, 2017 through 2021 is as follows:



Year	(In millions)
2017	$	2.6
2018	$	2.6
2019	$	2.2
2020	$	1.3
2021	$	1.1