Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) reported earnings on April 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Choice Hotels International beat slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased. GAAP earnings per share contracted significantly.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
Choice Hotels International booked revenue of $136.9 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $135.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 6.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $129.2 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.26. The 15 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.27 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.26 for Q1 were 24% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.34 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 43.5%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.3%, 290 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.3%, 420 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $182.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.52.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $723.5 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.97.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 69 members out of 91 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 42 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 34 give Choice Hotels International a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Choice Hotels International is hold, with an average price target of $36.06.

Looking for alternatives to Choice Hotels International? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.