America's Best Inns & Suites vs GUESTHOUSE Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of America's Best Inns & Suites vs GUESTHOUSE 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
GUESTHOUSE Franchise
Investment $109,250 - $5,836,500$118,000 - $1,918,500
Franchise Fee $15,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 17.50 -$22.50/room/mo.3%year1, 3.5%thereafter
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19701987
Year Franchised 19821987
Term Of Agreement -10 years, 5 years thereafter
Term Of Agreement -10 years, 5 years thereafter
Renewal Fee 50% of then-current fran. fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
GUESTHOUSE Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
GUESTHOUSE 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
GUESTHOUSE 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
GUESTHOUSE Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion NoNo

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 GUESTHOUSE

GuestHouse International Inns Hotels and Suites evolved from the first GuestHouse Inn & Suites in Little Rock AR in 1987 to become a leading mid-market brand with 70+ properties across America and China. GuestHouse International's most popular standard amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, freshly baked Belgian waffles, 25" remote-controlled TV's with free sports, movie and all news channels, data ports, In-room coffeemakers, free parking, and high speed internet access. The GuestHouse International franchise support system is one of the best in the industry. Franchise Service Managers provide support from initial opening to front desk training to outside sales assistance. Our Brand Assurance team helps property managers maintain the highest possible standards to ensure guest satisfaction and increase success. InnLink Central Reservation Systems (located in GuestHouse Int'l corporate headquarters) delivers GDS, voice and branded reservation services at www.guesthouseintl.com. Guest House International franchise agreements reward success and a true working relationship between owner and franchisor. In December 2006, GuestHouse International was purchased by Settle Inn LLC. In 2005 Settle Inn LLC, working with the AAFD, developed a franchise agreement that has been awarded the most franchise friendly contract in the lodging industry. As with Settle Inn LLC, GuestHouse International is committed to delivering exceptional service to our franchisees.

The total investment necessary to convert an existing hotel into a 70-room GuestHouse Extended Stay Hotel is $118,000 to $1,918,500. This estimate includes $21,000 to $22,000 that must be paid to the franchisor.
The total investment necessary for a newly constructed 70-room GuestHouse Extended Stay Hotel is $3,765,500 to $7,369,000, excluding the cost of purchasing or leasing land or any real estate taxes. This estimate includes $21,000 that must be paid to the franchisor.