�We are proud to welcome Trident Associates to the Microtel family,� said Mike Leven, president and CEO of US Franchise Systems, Inc., parent company of the franchisor of the Microtel Inns & Suites brand.  �This hotel is meaningful not only because of its location and philosophy of its owners, but because it has the first African American ownership in the Microtel system.  We have a long history of business relationships with owners from a variety of ethnic

Microtel Inn & Suites 2980 Evans Mill Road Lithonia, Geogia

According to Mike Patterson of Trident Associates, LLC, �We look forward to working with US Franchise Systems.  DeKalb County is a logical location for a Microtel, and together, we will fulfill the area�s need for a quality budget hotel.�  In addition to Patterson, Trident Associates, LLC is owned by Rick Branch and Vance Harper, residents of DeKalb County, and Wayne Harris of New Jersey. 

The new all-brick Microtel Inn & Suites has 60 rooms on three levels with single, double and suite accommodations, all with queen beds.  Amenities include complimentary daily continental breakfast, fitness center, and guestrooms with expanded cable television with CNN, HBO and ESPN.  Guests can enjoy membership in the MicroPass� frequent guest program and earn a free night�s stay after just nine night stays at any Microtel location.  By the end of the year, all guestrooms will offer free local and free long distance phone calls within the continental U.S., plus free high-speed wireless Internet access. 

Microtel Inns & Suites are all newly-constructed, interior corridor, budget/economy hotels.  As of March 31, 2004, there were 267 Microtel hotels open or under construction worldwide.  There are currently 19 Microtel properties open throughout the State of Georgia in Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Greensboro, Savannah and Tifton.

US Franchise Systems, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.  In November 2000, business interests of the Pritzker family of Chicago, Ill., which also own other hospitality businesses and assets, including Hyatt Hotels, as well as numerous manufacturing, health-care, natural resources and other businesses and assets, recognized USFS' potential and acquired the company. All Microtel hotels are independently owned and operated.