BIRMINGHAM, AL--(May 17, 2011) - Henry Silverman protégé and former Ramada Hotels CEO Steven Belmonte has returned to hotel franchising as C.E.O. and Owner of a new, three-segment brand developed by hoteliers to remove any unreasonable mandates on franchisees. With operations offices in Birmingham, Ala., and development headquarters in Orlando, the new Centerstone Inns, Hotels and Plaza Hotels brand is built on the backbone of Key West Inns. Conversion to Centerstone will occur over the next 90 days for those Key West Inn properties which qualify. It is anticipated that approximately 20 hotels will be integrated into the system.

"There's no better way to franchise today than with Centerstone Inns, Hotels & Plaza Hotels," Belmonte said. "With a low cost of entry, low fee structure, short-term agreements, Internet marketing support, dynamic reservation system and more, we are providing hotel owners with a viable franchise alternative."