The new breakfast standard was introduced at the 2000 Microtel Owner�s Meeting in Atlanta, Ga. earlier this year, and was later voted on by all open Microtel properties.  As part of Microtel�s �Fair Franchise Agreement,� at least 66 percent of open hotels must approve a new standard that would cause substantial investment prior to its enactment.  

According to Vinay Patel, vice president of brand marketing for Microtel, the new breakfast standard passed with a vote of 127 to 24.  �It is important to us that our franchisees have a vote on issues of this magnitude,� he added.  �The new standard breakfast will enhance our competitive position and meet the expectations of our guests who want something quick and nutritious while on the go.�  The chain has negotiated preferential pricing with Folgers, Otis Spunkmeyer and Minute Maid, but franchisees may make their own decisions on which brands they choose to serve.

With the standard, all Microtel properties will soon offer a daily breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  Hotels currently open will have until Dec. 31, 2000 to satisfy the breakfast requirement.  New properties coming into the system after June 1, 2000 will offer the breakfast upon opening.
 
Microtel is the fastest growing chain of all newly-constructed, budget/economy hotels in the U.S.  All rooms offer queen beds, CNN, ESPN and one premium movie channel.  For safety, guestrooms open to interior corridors with electronic card-key locks.  Entrepreneur magazine named Microtel the top budget hotel in the U.S. in 1999.
 
The Microtel brand is franchised by Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS).  As of March 31, 2000, there were 190 Microtel properties open or under construction.