For the quarter, the Company executed 26 franchise agreements comprised of four midscale hotels and 22 economy hotels, versus 59 agreements in theyear-ago period. Of the 26 contracts signed during the quarter three are for new locations. Franchise sales experienced some disruption in the quarter, as regulations require a franchisor to pause entering into new franchise agreements in the event of a change in certain leadership roles, such as a change in CEO. Contract signings resumed once new franchise disclosure documents were filed and approved by regulatory agencies.
Offsetting the new contracts in the quarter were 98 terminations which included six midscale hotels and 92 economy hotels.
Royalty revenue mix for 2019 was 70% from economy hotels and 30% from midscale hotels. Midscale hotels typically take three to 18 months to open and contain future royalty rate increases, generating franchise revenue growth. For instance, midscale contracts for new locations signed in 2019, contributed in the year $0.07 million in royalty revenue and are expected to contribute approximately $0.8 million of royalty revenue for their first 12 months of fees after opening and application of incentives and fee deferments. Royalty rates on these contracts will increase annually by 10% to 20% for the following few years. Similarly, economy contracts for new locations, signed in 2019, contributed just $0.04 million in 2019 royalty revenues and are expected to contribute approximately $0.4 million of royalty revenue for their first 12 months of fees after opening and application of incentives and fee deferments. With the increases in midscale royalty rate as well as a higher count of midscale hotels, we anticipate that midscale hotels will account for 35% of the royalty mix in 2020.
Offsetting the new signings for the year were 274 terminations which included 23 midscale hotels and 251 economy hotels.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
RLH Corporation finished the year with cash and restricted cash of $31.8 million including $4.1 million of cash and cash equivalents held by the joint ventures. The Company had debt of $32.6 million comprised of a $10 million revolving line of credit, and $22.6 million of hotel mortgages. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a net debt to trailing 12 months Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.1 times. Adjusted free cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $14.0 million as compared to $(15.1) million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.
Hotel Sales
As previously announced, to increase focus on its franchising business strategy, the Company has been engaged in an ongoing hotel asset disposition program. During 2019, the Company sold, or is under contract to sell, four hotels, including the Red Lion Airport Hotel Atlanta, Hotel RL Salt Lake City, Hotel RL Washington D.C. and the Red Lion Hotel Anaheim. These four hotels contributed approximately $32.1 million in revenue and $5.0 million in EBITDA in 2019.
On November 18, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its Red Lion Airport Hotel Atlanta for $12.25 million in gross proceeds. The hotel was held in a joint venture. RLH Corporation received $4.8 million in net proceeds after closing costs and the repayment of property level mortgage.
On December 20, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its Hotel RL Salt Lake City for $33 million in gross proceeds. The Company received approximately $11.9 million in net proceeds after closing costs, the repayment of property level mortgage debt of $11.0 million, and distributions to its joint venture partner.
Based on the two hotel sales in 2019, after the repayment of closing costs, property level debt and distributions to the joint venture partner, the Company netted $16.7 million. Proceeds were used to retire the corporate level debt of $4.2 million.
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