America's Best Inns & Suites vs Howard Johnson Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of America's Best Inns & Suites vs Howard Johnson 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
Howard Johnson Franchise
Investment $109,250 - $5,836,500$336,552 - $9,898,595
Franchise Fee $15,000$35,000 - $38,000
Royalty Fee 17.50 -$22.50/room/mo.4.5%
Advertising Fee -4%
Year Founded 19701925
Year Franchised 19821954
Term Of Agreement -15-20 years
Term Of Agreement -15-20 years
Renewal Fee 50% of then-current fran. fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Howard Johnson Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

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

Training & Support

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Howard Johnson Franchise
Training -Regional workshops
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, 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 advertisingCo-op advertising, National media, Regional advertising
Operations

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

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.


Expansion Plans

 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Howard Johnson Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion NoYes

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 Howard Johnson

With an advance of $500, Howard Dearing Johnson obtained a little patent drug shop in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1925. He utilized an antiquated, hand-wrenched cooler in the store's storm cellar to make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry frozen yogurt for the shop's pop wellspring. After three years, with menu increases like franks and ground sirloin sandwiches, he opened the primary Howard Johnson's Restaurant. By 1935, there were 25 Howard Johnson frozen yogurt and sandwich remains in Massachusetts. After five years, with more than 100 eateries on the Atlantic Coast, Johnson opened the main road eatery on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In 1954, when the organization worked 400 eateries, the primary Howard Johnson lodging opened in Savannah, Georgia. After Johnson's child assumed control over the organization in 1959, it was in this way procured by three unique organizations before Cendant Corp. purchased the inn network in 1990. Howard Johnson Int'l. establishments offer mid-evaluated holding up at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotels, Howard Johnson Hotels, Howard Johnson Inns and Howard Johnson Express Inns. Youngsters remain free at Howard Johnson, and Road Rally and AARP offer senior rebates at the lodgings.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Howard Johnson franchise for a 100 room new construction facility ranges from $5,393,268 to $9,898,595.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Howard Johnson franchise for a 100 room conversion facility ranges from $336,552 to $2,967,018.
Land acquisition costs are not included in these ranges. The above amounts include a range of $43,600 to $72,925 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.

#289 in Franchise 500 for 2020.