Gecko Hospitality is a hospitality recruiting franchise built for professionals with restaurant and hospitality experience. Founded in 2000, the company began as a specialized recruiting firm focused on connecting qualified management talent with hospitality employers.

Gecko Hospitality was founded in the United States and is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, where it operates its corporate support and training functions. Over time, the brand has developed a strong reputation within the hospitality staffing space.

Gecko Hospitality began offering franchise opportunities in the early 2000s and has expanded steadily across multiple markets. The franchise model allows owners to operate an independent recruiting business under a nationally recognized brand.

The franchise specializes in management-level recruiting for the hospitality industry. Services focus on placing general managers, executive chefs, and senior leadership roles within restaurants, hotels, resorts, and related businesses.

Training

Gecko Hospitality provides a detailed training program to ensure franchisees are equipped to operate successfully within the system. The training includes the following components:

Initial Training Program
Franchisees and key personnel must complete a two-week Initial Training Program held at the corporate office in Fort Myers, Florida, typically scheduled 2–6 weeks before business opening. The training combines classroom instruction and practical experience, covering operational procedures, client and candidate services, marketing, and employee training. There is no charge for the first two trainees, but additional attendees are charged $500 per person per day, with all travel and living expenses covered by the franchisee.

Ongoing and Supplemental Training
Gecko Hospitality may offer in-service on-site training and optional additional programs, workshops, and seminars. While these are typically offered at no additional fee, franchisees must pay travel, lodging, and related expenses for their attendees. Franchisees are also required to attend up to two mandatory annual meetings and complete at least ten hours of continuing recruiting education each year through webinars, classes, or conventions.

Territory Protection

Gecko Hospitality offers franchisees a designated territory in which they are permitted to operate their business. The franchisor agrees not to grant other franchises or operate competing businesses within this territory as long as the franchisee complies with the agreement.

The boundaries of the designated territory are defined based on population and are outlined in an addendum to the Franchise Agreement.

However, Gecko Hospitality does not provide an exclusive territory in the strictest sense. The franchisor reserves the right to develop, use, or franchise other trade names and trademarks for similar businesses within the franchisee’s territory.

Additionally, they may solicit national or regional clients and implement marketing programs that could extend beyond individual franchise territories, even allowing activity within those territories under certain circumstances.