U.S. Franchise Systems Targets State of Florida for Hotel Expansion

SOURCE: U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc.
Thursday August 19, 4:12 pm Eastern Time

ATLANTA, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS - news), franchisor of Microtel Inn & Suites, Hawthorn Suites and Best Inns & Suites, has set its sights on Florida. With 18 properties open or under construction throughout the state and over 65 in development, USFS is targeting such cities as Orlando, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Panama City and Pensacola for expansion.

Mike Leven, president and CEO of USFS, recently hosted a dinner in Orlando to acquaint area developers and hotel owners with USFS and its three hotel brands. He discussed the state of the industry and the variety of hotel brands in the marketplace today. ``We are excited to continue USFS' growth throughout Florida,'' said Leven. ``The state's beach and tourism market is consistently growing, and we see a great demand for new hotel products.''

Microtel, the fastest growing chain of all newly-constructed, interior corridor, budget/economy hotels in the U.S., currently has six properties open in Jacksonville (two), Lake City, Leesburg, Pensacola and Tallahassee, as well as a 100-room hotel scheduled to open in late 1999 in Orlando, and 29 more properties in development. There were 560 Microtels open or in development worldwide as of June 30, 1999.

Hawthorn Suites, the extended-stay chain, has two properties open in Orlando, at Sea World and on Canada Ave. Properties are under construction at the Orlando Airport, in Fort Myers and Lake Buena Vista, and 22 more are in development in such areas as Naples, Clearwater and Pensacola Beach. Hawthorn Suites, with 293 properties open or in development worldwide as of June 30, 1999, is targeted to business travelers attending training classes, handling long-term projects or on other extended-stay travel, as well as to families relocating to a new city or looking for a relaxing vacation.

Best Inns & Suites, the mid-priced/economy brand, has properties open in Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Walton Beach, Jacksonville and Tallahassee, properties under construction in Gainesville and Miami Beach, and another 15 in development throughout the state. As of June 30, 1999, there were 248 Best properties open or in development across the U.S.

For Microtel reservations or a copy of the Microtel directory, call 1-888-771-7171 toll-free.

Internet users can visit http://www.microtelinn.com/ . For Hawthorn reservations, contact 1-800-527-1133 toll-free, or visit http://www.hawthorn.com/ to access information and make reservations. For Best reservations, call 1-800-237-8466 (1-800-BEST-INN) toll-free, or visit http://www.bestinn.com/ .

U.S. Franchise Systems was formed in 1995 by Mike Leven, a 38-year veteran of the lodging industry, and Neal Aronson, former principal of a leading New York investment firm. The company was formed with a customer-oriented, quick- response corporate culture that has enabled it to grow faster than any other new franchise company in the industry. USFS also offers hotel management services to its franchisees.

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