America's Best Inns & Suites vs Crowne Plaza Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of America's Best Inns & Suites vs Crowne Plaza 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
Crowne Plaza Franchise
Investment $109,250 - $5,836,500$35,380,430 - $70,256,900
Franchise Fee $15,000$75,000
Royalty Fee 17.50 -$22.50/room/mo.5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19701983
Year Franchised 19821983
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee 50% of then-current fran. fee-


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

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

Training & Support
 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Crowne Plaza Franchise
Training - On-The-Job Training: Varies Classroom Training: Varies
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates National Media SEO Loyalty program/app
Operations

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

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

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Expansion Plans
 
America's Best Inns & Suites Franchise
Crowne Plaza Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
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 Crowne Plaza

 "Crowne
Work. Connect. Succeed.

When traveling, you need a partner that makes both work and relaxation easy. At Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, we focus on one thing and do it well: making your stay a success. With more than 400 properties worldwide, our premium accommodations, business-ready services and spaces, and fast and fresh meal options are designed to keep you productive, connected, rested, and restored during your stay. Whatever your business or personal needs, our expert staff is on it.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a typical 300-room Crowne Plaza or Crowne Plaza Suites hotel, excluding land costs and other matters, ranges from $35,380,430 to $60,089,100 ($117,935 to $200,297 per guest room) or more, including between $304,380 and $538,200 or more that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a typical 250-room Crowne Plaza Resort hotel, excluding land costs and other matters, ranges from $40,406,030 to $70,256,900 ($161,624 to $281,028 per guest room) or more, including between $252,380 and $456,200 or more that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.