Before joining Baymont Inns Suites, Abrahamson served as executive vice president - franchise hotel group for Hilton Hotels Corporation, Beverly Hills, California. He has over 20 years of hotel operations, franchising and development experience in senior level executive and management positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation, General Hotels Corporation and Embassy Suites, Inc.

�We are pleased to welcome Jim to Baymont Inns Suites. His extensive experience and proven track record will be instrumental in maximizing Baymont�s earnings potential and unit growth strategy,� said Stephen H. Marcus, chairman and chief executive officer of The Marcus Corporation.

�Jim has a strong background in hotel operations, development, franchising, brand management, system management and strategic planning. His depth of experience with leading national chains will significantly benefit all aspects of Baymont Inns Suites. Under his leadership, we are well positioned to build on the increasing momentum of the Baymont brand,� said Marcus.

Abrahamson will assume responsibility for Baymont�s operations including Woodfield Suites and will serve as chairman of Baymont Franchises International. Baymont�s franchising activities will continue under the direction of Dan Daniele, president of Baymont Franchises International.

Jim Abrahamson stated, �The Marcus Corporation is a highly respected lodging and entertainment company with a strong balance sheet and a tremendous commitment to quality and its limited-service hotel division has been an industry leader for many years. The Baymont Inns Suites brand is growing in popularity with both customers and franchisees. It�s a solid concept that has the potential to become one of the leading brands in the mid-price lodging segment. Its price-value equation combined with its distribution approaching 200 strategic markets gives it the critical mass necessary to be a significant player in the industry. Our base of corporate-owned properties and committed franchise owners will allow us to continue to aggressively expand nationwide. I�m excited about this outstanding opportunity to lead the Baymont Inns Suites division and to play a key role in the Marcus Corporation�s growth strategy.�

As executive vice president of the franchise hotel group of Hilton Hotels Corporation, Abrahamson was most recently responsible for franchise development for all of the company�s hotel brands, including franchise sales, design and construction as well as contract administration. During his 12 years with Hilton, Abrahamson�s experience has also included oversight of the company�s Hilton and Hilton Garden Inns franchise divisions with a total of 60,000 rooms, the new product launch of the Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Suites brands and supervision of Hilton�s owned and managed hotels of 500 rooms and less. Prior to joining Hilton, Abrahamson managed hotel properties for General Hotels Corporation and Embassy Suites, Inc.

�Because of his extensive full-service hotel development background, Abrahamson will also serve as an advisor to the company�s real estate and development division which will focus on expanding our portfolio of high quality full-service hotels and resorts,� Marcus said.

Abrahamson received a B.S. degree in finance and accounting from the University of Minnesota College of Business Administration in 1981. He currently serves as vice chairman of the American Hotel Motel Association�s Council of Inns and Suites and is a member of the Urban Land Institute Hotel Council.  

Since its introduction in January 1999, the Baymont Inns Suites brand has been gaining great acceptance from guests and it is generating increased interest among franchise investors. More new guests are visiting Baymont for the first time, customer loyalty is building and RevPAR growth has exceeded industry averages in recent months. The company currently has 171 Baymont properties in 30 states, 95 company-owned and 76 franchised. An additional 25 franchised properties are in development including eight properties currently under construction. 

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., The Marcus Corporation is comprised of four divisions: limited-service lodging, movie theatres, hotels/resorts and restaurants. The company operates or franchises 171 Baymont Inns Suites in 30 states, and a total of seven Woodfield Suites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Ohio and Texas; 450 movie screens in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin; three hotels and a resort in Wisconsin, one hotel and a resort in California and one hotel in Minnesota; and 27 KFC and 3 KFC/Taco Bell 2-in-1 restaurants in Wisconsin.