Umih reveals organizational structure ahead of October election
Umih discloses organizational structure details ahead of leadership election.
Event / Politics
Umih Hospitality Leadership Election
French hospitality sector organization Umih holds presidential election on October 13, 2026, with candidates Franck Chaumès and Brice Sannac competing to succeed Thierry Marx. The sector faces significant economic pressures with 25 daily restaurant closures, with campaign focus on tax policies including gratuities, VAT, meal vouchers, and lodging taxes.
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2026-09-14 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 14 Sept, 10:00 UTC
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What happened
Umih governance council to validate candidate list on September 17
The Umih governance council will meet on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to validate and announce the official list of candidates for the presidency. Following this validation, the presidents of the organization's 106 departmental federations will be called to vote.
Brice Sannac announces candidacy for Umih presidency
Brice Sannac, 36-year-old hotelier-restaurateur from Perpignan and co-president of Umih Occitanie, announced his candidacy for Umih president. He is running with Céline Viale, 54-year-old restaurateur, as his running mate for vice-presidency. Sannac's platform includes renovating governance, recruiting new members in regional territories, improving the sector's image among youth, and combating platform competition.
Stéphane Manigold wins defamation lawsuit against Umih
Stéphane Manigold, president of Umih's restaurant branch in Île-de-France, won a defamation lawsuit brought against him by Umih organization. Manigold had previously appealed an earlier defamation judgment in a case brought by Thierry Marx.
Umih organization size and structure
Umih, the Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie, is France's third-largest employer organization in the hospitality-restaurant sector, after Capeb and FFB (construction). Umih has 35,000 members and 106 departmental federations, operating within a broader French hospitality-restaurant sector comprising 220,000 establishments.
Umih presidential election scheduled for October 13
The election for Umih president is scheduled to take place on October 13, 2026. Candidates had until Sunday evening to register before this official election date.
French hospitality sector reports 25 restaurant closures per day
France's hospitality and restaurant sector is experiencing significant challenges, with approximately 25 restaurant closures occurring daily. The sector faces pressure from changing consumer habits, declining purchasing power among French consumers, and rising raw material costs.
Thierry Marx announces he will not seek re-election as Umih president
Thierry Marx, chef and current president of Umih (Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie), announced he will not seek a new mandate after his four-year term. Marx, who heads the Parisian restaurant Onor and is known as a juror on the television show Top Chef, decided not to continue as leader of France's third-largest employer organization in the hospitality-restaurant sector.
French hospitality sector priorities for 2027 presidential campaign
The hospitality and restaurant sector plans to advocate for specific policy priorities during France's 2027 presidential campaign, including tax treatment of gratuities, VAT rates, meal voucher programs, and lodging taxes.
Franck Chaumès announces candidacy for Umih presidency
Franck Chaumès, 60-year-old restaurateur from Bordeaux and current president of Umih's restaurant branch, announced his candidacy to become president of Umih. He is running alongside Valentin Prudon, president of Umih Corrèze and Creuse, as co-candidate.
Thierry Marx wins defamation case against Stéphane Manigold
Thierry Marx won a defamation lawsuit against Stéphane Manigold regarding allegations concerning Marx's alleged industry connections. Manigold subsequently appealed this decision.
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2 alternative perspectives
Defamation disputes emerge in Umih leadership race
Defamation lawsuits between Umih figures escalate tensions in ongoing presidential succession.
Marx steps down as Umih leads sector through leadership transition
Umih leadership election set for October 13 amid sector crisis and Marx's departure.