The five brands operated by America’s Best Franchising continued steady, although slower growth in 2010 with the sale of 39 new properties totaling 2,899 rooms and the opening of 42 new properties totaling 2,987 rooms.
This represents a growth of 18% for 2010, compared to growth of 30% in 2009 when the company added the Vagabond Inns & Suites brand of properties to its portfolio.
America’s Best Franchising now operates 274 hotels that together have 18,371 rooms under its upscale 3 Palms brand for independent hotels plus its four upper economy brands – America’s Best Inns & Suites, Budgetel Inns & Suites, Country Hearth Inns & Suites, and Vagabond Inns & Suites.
“The economic slowdown has made proven hotel brands such as ours even more valuable because both travelers and owners seek out names they trust,” said Doug Collins, Chairman and CEO of America’s Best Franchising. “We deliver common sense accommodations in an uncommon way – and we always keep the bottom line in sight for our franchisees as well as for our guests.”
According to Collins, America’s Best Franchising expects to achieve a growth rate of 15 to 20% in 2011, selling and opening about 50 properties. Expansion will come domestically as well as internationally, with the company signing agreements during the past two weeks for new master licenses in India and in China, which are among the largest and most populated countries in the world.
“The economic recovery has been slower than we anticipated or than we want, but both business and leisure travel is picking back up and should continue steady during 2011,” added Collins. “Our country, our industry, and our hoteliers have the skills and the mindset to make this a solid business year.”
# # #