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Marcus Sell of Baymont Consistent with Commitment
to Maximize Shareholder Value; Impact on Corporate
Office Staff to be Determined, First Budgetel Inn
Opened in 1974 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

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MILWAUKEE - July 15, 2004 --T he Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement for the sale of its limited-service lodging division to La Quinta Corporation (NYSE: LQI). The total cash purchase price of the transaction is approximately $395 million, excluding certain joint ventures and subject to certain adjustments.

La Quinta Corporation, a leading limited-service lodging company based in Dallas, Texas, will purchase The Marcus Corporation's Baymont Inns & Suites, Woodfield Suites and Budgetel Inns brands. La Quinta(R) will purchase the real estate and will assume the operation of the company-owned and operated properties and the Baymont franchise system. The transaction is expected to close later this summer or early fall, subject to customary closing conditions, consents and approvals.

The Marcus Corporation's limited service lodging division includes 178 Baymont Inns & Suites in 32 states, of which 84 are franchised and 94 are company-owned or operated; seven company-owned Woodfield Suites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Ohio and Texas; and one company-owned Budgetel Inn in Wisconsin. For the last 12 months ended February 26, 2004, the limited-service lodging division contributed revenues of $126.2 million, or 31%, of The Marcus Corporation's consolidated revenues and operating income of $12.4 million, or 21%, of the company's consolidated operating income, excluding corporate items. Operating income as reported includes $19.2 million of depreciation and amortization and includes divisional and corporate overhead allocations.

"Over the past five years, we have successfully established the Baymont Inns & Suites brand in the mid-price segment of the lodging industry. We have built the brand and the infrastructure. Now, Baymont Inns & Suites is ready to move to the next level. La Quinta Corporation is a highly respected, successful leader in limited-service lodging. The company is an experienced owner, operator and franchisor that has the systems and the financial strength to continue to grow this business," said Stephen H. Marcus, chairman and chief executive officer of The Marcus Corporation. "We believe this step is in the best long-term interest of everyone involved with The Marcus Corporation -- our associates, franchisees, guests and shareholders."

La Quinta Corporation owns, operates or franchises more than 370 La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inn & Suites in 33 states. "La Quinta Corporation has much in common with our limited-service lodging division. Both companies focus on providing a comfortable stay, popular amenities, excellent service and overall value, and have a large ownership interest in their hotels. La Quinta Corporation plans to maintain and grow Baymont Inns & Suites as a top-quality limited-service lodging brand. For all of these reasons, we believe the sale of our limited-service lodging business to this growth-oriented industry leader is a logical next step that provides opportunities for our associates and franchisees, as well as additional benefits for our guests," said Marcus.

"The sale is consistent with our commitment to maximizing long-term shareholder value. It also confirms the underlying value of our real estate holdings and the wisdom of our philosophies to own the majority of our real estate and to manage for the long term," said Marcus.

Marcus said the company's Board of Directors and management will evaluate potential uses of the proceeds from the sale. "We will be actively evaluating potential growth opportunities in our two remaining divisions, Marcus Theatres and Marcus Hotels and Resorts, as well as other potential investments and uses of the funds. We believe the addition of this significant amount of capital opens the doors to many opportunities to expand our remaining businesses and to further enhance shareholder value," said Marcus.

Marcus anticipates a seamless transition for the company's guests. "The summer months are our busiest period. We are committed to maintaining our high standards of quality and service during the changeover period," said Marcus. He added that the company's 350,000 members of its Guest Ovations(TM) frequent stay program will continue to accumulate and use their Ovations points and will ultimately be able to use their points in the La Quinta Returns(R) loyalty program.

Marcus said the sale will not affect the majority of Baymont Inns & Suites associates, particularly those working at individual properties. "Although the final impact of the sale on associates in our corporate office will be determined over the next several weeks, our goal is to minimize the number of positions lost as a result of this transaction," said Marcus.

"We are very proud of all of our Baymont Inns & Suites, Woodfield Suites and Budgetel Inn associates and franchisees. Together, we have built a successful business that will continue to grow and prosper as part of the La Quinta Corporation family," said Marcus.

The Marcus Corporation entered the limited-service lodging business in 1974 with the opening of its first Budgetel Inn in Oshkosh, Wis. Over the next 25 years, Budgetel became a leader in the economy segment of the lodging industry. In January 1999, The Marcus Corporation changed the name of Budgetel Inns to Baymont Inns & Suites to better reflect the chain's quality and amenities. The company moved Baymont Inns & Suites into the mid-price segment by re-imaging many of its properties, expanding amenities to include a lobby breakfast, Guest Ovations(TM) loyalty program, Ovations Rooms(TM) and a 110% Satisfaction Guarantee, and developing the infrastructure to support the brand. Baymont Inns & Suites has been nationally recognized for its overall value and amenities for business travelers. The company also developed the Woodfield Suites concept and opened its first Woodfield Suites in 1992.

Goldman Sachs & Co. is serving as the financial advisor to The Marcus Corporation. Foley & Lardner is the company's legal advisor for the transaction.

Certain matters discussed in this Press Release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 


 
Contact:
The Marcus Corporation
www.marcuscorp.com
Also See: Developer John Weeman, Faulker USA, and Marcus Hotels and Resorts Investing $27.9 million in Oklahoma City Skirvin Hotel Renovation; Seek City Loan up to $18.4 million for $46.4 million Project / May 2004
Bruce Sherman's Investment Company Now Owns 35% of Marcus Corporation / May 2002
Ben D. Marcus, Founder of The Marcus Corporation, Dies at 89 / Dec 2000
Budgetel Changes Name to Baymont / Feb 1998


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