ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 1997 - After whirlwind days of client meetings, lunches,
taxis, shuttles and
airplanes, weary business travelers in search of an affordable good
night's sleep near the airport can finally rest
easy.
Atlanta-based US Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS) (USFS), franchisor
of Microtel Inns Suites
-- the fast
growing chain of newly constructed, interior corridor, limited-service
hotels with daily rates starting at
$35 -- is expanding to bring the newest concept in budget hotels to
an airport near you.
As Microtels are springing up at airport locations from Jacksonville
to Denver to Anchorage, and everywhere in
between, "Providing true value and quality, Microtel is the business
traveler's alternative to the higher-priced,
full-service properties currently found in most airport markets," said
Mike Leven, president and CEO of USFS.
Microtel, the fastest growing chain in the budget category, features
single, double and suite accommodations
with special chiropractic mattresses, remote cable television and complimentary
morning coffee.
Properties are currently open at airports in Anchorage, Alaska; Charlotte,
N.C.; Greenville, N.C.; Raleigh-Durham,
N.C.; Lincoln, Neb.; Gallup, N.M.; Albany and Buffalo, N.Y.; Allentown,
Pa., and Chattanooga, Tenn.
Under construction and scheduled to open soon are Microtels at airport
locations in:
ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 1997 - US Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS)
(USFS), franchisor of Microtel
Inn Suites -- the fast growing chain of newly constructed, interior
corridor, limited service hotels that is springing
up around the U.S. -- will soon make its debut throughout Central America
in Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Nicaragua and Panama.
According to Mike Leven, president and CEO of USFS, the company has
entered into a master franchise
agreement with Guatemala-based CJ Hotels (Connor/Jacobson Hotels),
a family-owned business that has
operated hotels throughout Central America since 1952. Central America's
first Microtel Inn Suites will break
ground in San
Pedro Sula, Honduras in January; the company has plans to bring
the Microtel concept to Ecuador
and Paraguay as well.
"Microtel properties built in Central America will conform to Microtel's
construction and design standards, and
offer consumers rates 20 to 30 percent less than the competition,"
said Leven. "We're obviously filling a need
throughout international destinations for new, contemporary, comfortable
and high quality hotels in the budget
category."
Microtel went international earlier this year when USFS entered into
a master franchise agreement to bring its
concept to Argentina and Uruguay with 15 new properties by the year
2002. Further fueling international growth,
USFS has also signed agreements for Microtels in the Dominican Republic,
Haiti, and the Turks and Caicos, and
is working with companies in Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and Europe
on similar kinds of agreements.
"We're proud to join with US Franchise Systems and a hotel company that
will soon be a leading player on the
international hospitality scene," said Mark Jacobson, COO of CJ Hotels.
"Not only is Microtel a terrific product,
but Mike Leven is a visionary founder with tremendous energy and ability,
and a team to match."
Founded by Harry and Mollie Connor Jacobson, CJ Hotels currently owns
and operates properties in Guayaquil,
Ecuador (Grand Hotel Guayaquil), San Pedro Sula, Honduras (Gran Hotel
Sula) and Panama City, Panama
(Executive Hotel). CJ Hotels also operated the Gran Hotel Managua in
Nicaragua for many years. The company is
now run by sons Mark, Peder and Tom Jacobson, who have degrees from
Cornell University School of Hotel
Administration, Michigan State University Hotel School, and Florida
International University Hotel School,
respectively. Tom is also general manager of the Gran Hotel Sula.
The San Pedro Sula Microtel will offer 60 guest rooms and suites on
two stories, and is scheduled to open in
June.
As of Nov. 17, there were 60 Microtels open, 49 under construction and
another 299 under development across 46
states. USFS plans for 1,000 Microtel properties open or under development
by the year 2000. For reservations or
for a copy of the Microtel directory, call 1-888-771-7171 toll-free.
Internet users can also visit Microtel at
www.microtelinn.com.