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Microtel Inn & Suites Named Top Budget Brand 
in Value and Physical Appearance 
by Business Travel News
 
ATLANTA, March 31, 1999 - U.S. Franchise Systems' (Nasdaq: USFS) Microtel Inn & Suites has been ranked the top budget hotel brand in the U.S. in terms of "overall price/value relation" and "physical appearance" in Business Travel News' 1999 Top U.S. Hotel Chain Survey. Microtel is the fastest growing chain of all-newly constructed, interior corridor, budget/economy hotels in the U.S.

According to the publication, "Constantly trying to grow its business traveler client base, Microtel is developing many of its new properties near airports."  Referencing Microtel's all-new construction, "Even in this cost-conscious segment, it [Microtel] believes the key to winning and keeping good customers lies in combining location with good-looking accommodations."   Business Travel News' annual survey is conducted among corporate travel managers and business travel agents.  To qualify to rate a hotel chain, respondents are required to have done business with that chain within the past 12 months.

Business Travel News also ranked U.S. Franchise Systems' Hawthorn Suites all-suites brand as the top extended stay hotel chain for its corporate rate program. 

In related news, Entrepreneur magazine named Microtel Inn & Suites the top budget hotel in its sixth annual "Business Travel Awards" for products that make the business travel experience easier and less costly.  According to a report in its April 1999 issue, "Budget hotels
tend to show their age faster than their more expensive full-service counterparts.  That's why it's a good idea to always ask about the age of the budget hotel you're booking a room in.  And that's also why the newest player in the budget hotel market, three-year-old Microtel, is a
great choice."
 
Commented Mike Leven, president and CEO of U.S. Franchise Systems, "We're thrilled that USFS' Microtel and Hawthorn are both becoming leaders in their respective segments."  Late in 1998, Microtel was ranked the top hotel brand in the U.S. by numbers of projects and rooms
in the development pipeline in the Development Outlook report of Lodging Econometrics, the research division of National Hotel Realty, Portsmouth, N.H., which monitors hotel real estate development. Hawthorn had the most number of hotels open or in development in the
extended-stay/upper tier segment. 

About U.S. Franchise Systems

Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems was formed in 1995 by Mike Leven, a 38-year veteran of the lodging industry, and Neal Aronson, a former principal of Odyssey Partners, a New York investment firm.  USFS' three brands include Microtel Inn & Suites, Hawthorn Suites and Best Inns & Suites.  USFS also offers hotel management services to its franchisees. The Company trades under the symbol USFS on the Nasdaq National Market. 

Certain of the above statements are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including competitive developments, and risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.

###
 
Contact:
Barbara Wiener 
Vice President, Corporate Communications
404-235-7400 
[email protected]
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Also See: Microtel Inn & Suites Releases 1999 Marketing Plans / Nov 1998 

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