America's Best Inns & Suites vs Centerstone Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of America's Best Inns & Suites vs Centerstone including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Centerstone Franchise
Investment $109,250 - $5,836,500$47,149 - $8,728,147
Franchise Fee $15,000$17,000
Royalty Fee 17.50 -$22.50/room/mo.2%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19702012
Year Franchised 19822012
Term Of Agreement -as low as 3 years
Term Of Agreement -as low as 3 years
Renewal Fee 50% of then-current fran. fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Centerstone Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Centerstone Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/No-/-
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Centerstone Franchise
Training --
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
Operations

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 12

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

-

Expansion Plans

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Centerstone Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About America's Best Inns & Suites

America's Best Inns & Suites is a high quality mid-level limited service hotel brand with locations throughout the United States. With 102 hotels open and 5 under development as of September 1, 2004, America's Best Inns & Suites continues to expand around the country. America's Best Inns & Suites is primarily a conversion brand for existing hotel owners looking for a better way to do business. America's Best Inns & Suites offers a solution to independent hotel owners looking for a franchise brand or for current franchise hotel owners looking to reposition their property in the market place. Multi-unit operators disenchanted with the direction of their current brand should also consider America's Best Inns & Suites, subject to the requirements of their existing franchise agreement. US Franchise Systems, franchisor for the brand, is a recognized leader in the hotel industry, with 3 growing hotel brands and a reputation for treating our franchisees fairly. Noted for our strong relationships with and support for our franchisees, US Franchise Systems was founded on the principle that franchisees are our partners and they are in business for themselves, not by themselves.

About Centerstone

At Centerstone we offer 3 concepts: Centerstone Inns & Suites Centerstone Inns are an economy based product that represents exceptional value to its guests. A typical Centerstone Inn would have a minimum of two diamond/star like quality. Typically, it does not include a restaurant and bar and has an average size of 75 rooms. A Centerstone Inns & Suites is basically the same as a Centerstone Inns with 20% or more of its inventory being suites, versus standard guest rooms. Centerstone Hotel A Centerstone Hotel is typically a minimum of three diamond/star like quality that competes in the mid market and brings exceptional value to its customers. Most Centerstone Hotels are full service and provide a restaurant, lounge, meeting rooms and other related services. Waivers are available for restaurants providing a free breakfast buffet is offered. A typical Centerstone Hotel is interior corridor and mid-rise to high-rise with approximately 125 rooms or more. Centerstone Plaza Hotel A Centerstone Plaza Hotel is typically a four diamond/star like quality product that has an immediate wow factor and competes in the high end of the mid tier sector. A Centerstone Plaza Hotel is designed for the more discriminating value conscious traveler. Typically these properties are 150 rooms or larger, full service with restaurant/bar, meeting facilities, swimming pool, health club and other elevated brand standards and service amenities that make this product a true four diamond/star like experience. Franchise Terms Application Fee: $2,000 Initial Fee: $12,000 Royalty & Marketing Fees: 3% Gross Room Revenue Annual Conference Fee: $499 The Centerstone brand offers one of the lowest fee structures in the industry. With an initial fee of only $12,000, franchisees can have short-term agreements as low as 36 months. Combined marketing and royalty is only 3%. Everything mentioned above is coupled with a cutting-edge reservation system, strong consumer marketing programs, and a commitment of fairness and understanding which makes Centerstone one of best choices in franchising today. Welcome to a true, “franchise-friendly”, brand.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Centerstone Lodging Facility franchised business is between $3,482,149 and $8,728,147 for a newly constructed hotel. This includes between $42,999 and $67,997 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Centerstone Lodging Facility franchised business conversion of an existing hotel is between $47,149 and $1,648,147. This includes between $35,999 and $67,997 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates(s).