PARIS— Accor has begun to look at franchising as a means of expanding its presence in the U.K. from 80 hotels to 170 by 2005. According to HVS International, Accor wants to strike a number of multimillion dollar deals with established foreign management firms seeking a foothold in the UK on all of its brands, with the exception of Sofitel. Accor currently operates some 80 hotels in the UK, predominantly under its Ibis and Novotel brands. The Sofitel brand should not feel neglected, however. The 186-room Sofitel St James, which opened in London in April, is one of 11 new Sofitels, a total of some 3,194 rooms, that are either open or due to open worldwide under a development schedule that will bring the Sofitel portfolio to 160 hotels, a total of 32,203 rooms, in 53 countries. SOURCE: HVS International