| ATLANTA (April 25, 2001) - The International
Franchise Association (IFA) has named Richard Sobelman, a principal of
the Illinois-based Bricton Hospitality Group, and Steve Olson, co-founder,
president and CEO of Hutchinson, Kan.-based Leisure Group of Companies,
as �Franchisees of the Year.�
The �Franchisee of the Year� awards were presented
to outstanding franchisees from around the nation at the trade organization�s
41st annual convention in Las Vegas. The winners were selected by
their franchise companies as outstanding operators who have performed in
an exemplary manner.
| Sobelman, a member of the
Hawthorn Franchise Advisory Council (FAC), has been a principal of the
Illinois-based Bricton Hospitality Group, which owns and/or operates hotels,
since the late 1980�s. The properties carry various flags, including
Hawthorn Suites, Microtel Inns & Suites, Sleep Inn, Holiday Inns and
Doubletree Club.
Formerly, he was a trader on the Chicago Board
of Options and during the 1970s, developed and sold a successful alarm
company. Other businesses that he has |
The IFA has named Hawthorn owner Richard
Sobelman �Franchisee of the Year.� Sobelman is principal of Ilinois-based
Bricton Hospitality Group. Pictured last month in Las Vegas (l to
r) were IFA chair JoAnne Shaw, PepsiCo representative David Jordan, Sobelman,
and IFA Franchisee Forum chairman Harry Loyle. |
|
successfully owned, operated and subsequently sold
include Arthur Treachers, Al Gelato Ice Cream and Flower Boutique.
He began his career with McMillian Publishing Company.
Sobelman resides in Northbank, a suburb of Chicago
with his wife of 31 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.
| Olson, also a member of
the Hawthorn FAC, is a 28-year hospitality industry veteran. Leisure
Group of Companies was formed in 1985 when Olson teamed with businessmen
Fran Jabara and Richard Smith. The company specializes in the development
and management of hotels in the limited-, suite-, resort-and full-service
markets. Now employing over 500 people, it is one of the nation�s
fastest growing multi-faceted hotel companies. Leisure provides its
hotels with complete operational and financial services, as well as extensive
human resource training and |
Steve Olson, third from left, was also
named IFA �Franchisee of the Year.� Olson is co-founder, president and
CEO of Hutchinson, Kan.-based Leisure Group of Companies, which develops
and manages Hawthorn and Microtel hotels throughout the Midwest. |
|
development, using the latest in technological developments.
The company is consistently recognized among the top owners/developers
and management companies by such leading trade publications as Hotel Business.
For additional information, visit www.leisure-hotel.com.
Olson resides in Hutchinson KS with his wife,
Carrie, and has two children.
Known as the �Voice of Franchising,� IFA is the
world�s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, and the
only trade group that includes franchisees, franchisors and suppliers.
For additional information, visit www.franchise.org.
Founded in 1995, Atlanta-based US Franchise Systems
is the parent company of the franchisors of Microtel Inns & Suites,
a chain of all newly-constructed, budget hotels, Hawthorn, a predominantly
upscale extended-stay chain, and Best Inns & Suites, an economy/mid-priced
chain. System wide, there are more than 600 properties open or under
construction in 49 states and internationally. For additional information,
visit www.usfsi.com.
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