After the successful launch of the budget hotel chain Formule 1 in 1985, the group Accor launched a new economy brand, Etap Hôtel, in 1992.[3] By 2004, 229 Etap Hôtel locations opened in France, and 81 in Europe.[4] To fine-tune its economy segment, the Accor group privileged the development of Etap Hôtel over its other budget brand Formule 1.[5]