ATLANTA, May 7, 1998 -  Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts, the new extended stay upper-end all suites lodging concept, especially targeted to business travelers attending meetings and conferences and who are looking to combine a golf and meetings retreat experience, debuts with the ground breaking of its first property on Friday, May 8, 1998 at noon at the Cherokee Run Golf Club at Georgia International Horse Park, in Conyers, Georgia, 20 miles east of Atlanta.

The ceremony will feature remarks by Lewis Massey, Secretary of State of Georgia; Randal S. Mills, Mayor of the City of Conyers; Rebecca Woolcot, City Manager of Conyers; R. Morgan Burkett, Chairman of Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts, LLC, and Cortland R. Dusseau, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts, LLC. Earl Wilson and Ron Barber, owners of Wilbar Developers, as well as members of the Conyers City Council, Chamber of Commerce, County Commissioners and Convention Visitors Bureau will also be on hand.

Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS) acquired the franchise rights to Hawthorn Suites in 1996 and full ownership of the brand this past March. Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts in Conyers is an alliance between Wilbar Developers, LLC and Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts, LLC. The hotel and conference center will feature extended-stay studio, one- and two- bedroom accommodations, with such all-inclusive amenities as hot breakfast buffet daily, complimentary social hour during the week, and an array of business services.

Over-looking the seventh green at Cherokee Run Golf Club and inside of the Georgia International Horse Park -- the site of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games' equestrian, mountain biking and modern pentathlon events -- the facility is scheduled to open in early 1999.

"It is with great pride that Hawthorn's first golf facility has the opportunity to be aligned with a championship Arnold Palmer course and one the caliber of Cherokee Run," said Mike Leven, president and CEO of USFS. Added Burkett, "We hope that Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts will drive new business and additional revenues to the town of Conyers and the Georgia International Horse Park, a natural site for corporate gatherings. Our guests will be able to combine a corporate retreat or meeting with everything the park has to offer -- from golf to mountain biking, equestrian activities and concerts."

Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts, LLC management and founders include R. Morgan Burkett, chairman, Cortland R. Dusseau, vice chairman and CEO, and Jack L. Marshall, vice chairman. Together, they have extensive planning, development, construction, marketing and operation experience in the hospitality industry.

Said Dusseau, "We are results-oriented and like to get business done in an expedient manner. U.S. Franchise Systems shares this forward-thinking philosophy as well as a dedication to quality. We look forward to teaming up with USFS on more Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts around the country."

Atlanta-based Wilbar Developers, LLC, owner and developer of the project, has just completed a new office building at West Wieuca Road near Chastain Park in Atlanta. The company is also developing a 72 acre multi-million dollar community -- "Canterbury on the Lake" -- surrounded by a 30-acre lake in North Fulton County. A 40-unit townhome community in Roswell is scheduled to break ground this fall as well. Leven said, "We're thrilled to join with Wilbar Developers on the first Hawthorn Suites Golf Resorts project. Wilbar has a long history of successfully developing quality properties throughout the state, and together we will be able to offer business travelers and golfers everything they need."

Hawthorn Suites Golf Resort

The lodge-style, three-story Conyers Hawthorn Suites Golf Resort is designed to take advantage of scenic views of the golf course from all its suites and their balconies.  Each of the 76 spacious accommodations, including studio, one-and two-bedroom suites, will provide fully-equipped kitchen facilities, in addition to separate modem lines, voice mail, extended cable TV with movie channel, separate work and dining area, and daily complimentary newspaper.  The property will also offer a heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi(R), extensive meeting facilities, an exercise center, business center and on-site convenience store, in addition to special golf and meetings packages.

Project architect is Gene Lynn of Lynn Partners, Norcross, Ga.

Conyers, located at the eastern edge of Atlanta's metropolitan area, is 29 miles east of Atlanta's international airport. The Horse Park, which opened in 1995, contains more than 1,400 acres including the Grand Prix Stadium, an outdoor amphitheater with seating for up to 16,000, and 12 miles of roads and tracks for trail riders and cross country events. The Cherokee Run Golf Club is a 7,000 yard, par-72 championship golf course which is intertwined with the cross country trails and mountain bike course. The Arnold Palmer design features scenic play over wetlands and granite outcroppings, and plays like a mountain course following the natural roll of the
land.

As of May 7, there were 29 Hawthorn properties open, 22 under construction and 94 under development. Hawthorn properties currently open in the state are located in Atlanta/ Buckhead and Smyrna. For reservations or information, contact 1-800-527-1133. Internet users can visit Hawthorn at www.hawthorn.com to access detailed information and make reservations instantly.