"With nearly 260 hotels across the country, franchisees turn to us when they want to be a part of a strong brand and a strong hotel family," said Gary Decatur, president and chief executive officer, Choice Canada. "Now, it's more important than ever to be a part of a brand that has tremendous recognition as well as the support that Choice offers its franchisees in terms of sales, marketing, reservations and operations."

The Econo Lodge Incentive offers a $30,000 rebate on opening day, a $5,000 signage credit and no royalty fees for the first year on a 10-year contract for a hotel with 40 rooms or more. The Quality Incentive offers a $35,000 rebate on opening day, a $15,000 signage credit and no royalty fees for the first year on a 10-year contract for a hotel with 65 rooms or more. 

"We believe conversion of existing hotels will continue to be a big part of our growth in 2002. So, we have once again selected the Econo Lodge brand to help us grow in the economy segment, and the Quality brand to drive growth in the full service, mid-market segment."

"We converted our hotels to the strong Quality brand to increase our awareness and image in the Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray markets," said Minaz Abji, president and chief operating officer of CHIP Hospitality in Vancouver, British Columbia. "The time looked right for us to convert our independent properties and re-position them to compete head on with the other branded competition." 
 

Robert Leoppky of Atlific Hotels & Resorts in Vancouver also was pleased with Choice. Atlific now manages the Econo Lodge (CN422) and the Quality Inn (CN425), both of Fort St. John, British Columbia. "As we had two hotels we wanted to franchise simultaneously, we recognized that Choice had a lot to offer in helping us capture a broad

Quality Inn Northern Grand Hotel 9830 - 100th Avenue  Fort St. John, BC

"We are thrilled that new franchisees are taking advantage of the tremendous incentives we are offering and welcome them whole-heartedly into the Choice family," said Duff.

Despite its challenges, 2001 was a banner year for new hotels joining the Choice Canada system. A total of 25 new franchise agreements were signed including nine new-construction hotels. Of the 25 hotel deals signed, there were seven Econo Lodge hotels, seven Comfort hotels, nine Quality hotels, one Clarion hotel and one Rodeway Inn. 

"As the 25 hotels join Choice over the next 18 months, they will bring additional dollars into our marketing fund, and will uphold and enhance the strength of the Choice brands," said Scott T. Duff, vice president franchise development.