ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 1999) � U.S. Franchise Systems (Nasdaq: USFS) has
filled three newly- created senior management positions to bolster a centralized
marketing approach to fully support the Company�s increasing numbers of
Microtel Inn & Suites, Hawthorn and Best Inns & Suites properties.
Commented Mike Leven, president and CEO of USFS, �With more than 1,150
hotels open or in development systemwide [as of Sept. 30, 1999], each brand
has grown large enough that it needs a full-time champion in the marketing
area. Each of the individuals we have hired is a hands-on, make-it-happen
marketer who is adept at working closely with individual owners to help
properties reach their full potential.�
The following individuals will spearhead efforts to provide marketing
support to franchisees:
| Vinay Patel joins USFS
as Vice President, Brand Marketing for Microtel Inn & Suites after
serving as Vice President of Marketing for Knights Franchise Systems, a
division of Cendant Corp., since 1996. He worked for Days Inns of
America, also a division of Cendant Corp., in franchise marketing and services
management positions from 1992 to 1996. |
Vinay Patel
|
| Rick Welch is the Vice President,
Brand Marketing for Best Inns & Suites. Welch has over 30 years
experience in the hospitality industry, beginning with Sheraton.
In addition to serving as Vice President of Regional Marketing at Days
Inns of America from 1992 to1998, he has worked for such companies as Hyatt,
Harpenau and Diversified Innkeepers. Most recently, Welch owned a
management company. |
Rick Welch
|
| Steve Hymans has been promoted
to Vice President, Brand Marketing for Hawthorn. Previously, Hymans
served as the brand�s Vice President of Operations and Brand Manager.
Hymans has been with Hawthorn since USFS acquired the brand in 1996.
Prior to joining USFS, Hymans managed such extended-stay chains as Summerfield
Suites and Residence Inn, and served as Regional Director and General Manager
for Summerfield Hotel Company. |
Steve Hymans
|
According to Leven, the growth of USFS� brands has necessitated additional
staff expansion.
For example, the Company previously announced the hiring of Bob Shackleford
as Vice President, Quality Assurance, to head the Company�s newly-formed
Quality Assurance Department, responsible for the quality evaluation process
and inspection of all of USFS� open hotels. The department will initially
consist of four inspectors; a fifth will join the team in early 2000.
Previously, quality assurance and training were combined in one department.
Earlier this year, Microtel Inn & Suites, the chain of all newly-constructed,
budget/economy hotels, was named the top hotel brand in the U.S. for number
of projects and rooms in the development pipeline by Lodging Econometrics.
It was also ranked the top budget brand by Business Travel News for �overall
price/value� and �physical appearance� and cited as the top budget brand
by Entrepreneur Magazine. Hawthorn Suites was ranked number-one in
the extended-stay segment with the most hotels and rooms in the development
pipeline by Lodging Econometrics. Best Inns & Suites, the mid-priced
economy brand, has expanded from 38 hotels when USFS acquired it in 1998,
to 268 hotels open or in development as of Sept. 30, 1999. |
