Aafd Names Mike Leven And Usfs For Top 2005 Franchise Awards

In preparation for its National Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference April 27-30 in San Diego, the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) has announced its Total Quality Franchising Awards for 2005.

Headlining this year’s honorees is nationally recognized hospitality industry executive, Mike Leven, and the franchise system he founded, US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS). Leven will be recognized with AAFD’s prestigious Total Quality Franchising Lifetime Achievement Award and USFS is being recognized as AAFD’s second twice-honored Franchisor of the Year.

AAFD Chairman Robert Purvin says the recognition of Mike Leven by the AAFD is long overdue. “Mike has truly set himself apart as a distinguished citizen within the hospitality industry as well as the franchising community.” Purvin adds, “Equally important from the perspective of the AAFD, Mike has built his reputation on a dedication to fairness and respect for his franchisee constituents; a man who has set and embodied the very standards of conduct that the AAFD exists to uphold.” Leven, a native of Boston, Mass., has spent his entire 44-year career in the hotel industry. In 1995, he formed US Franchise Systems, Inc., which franchises the Microtel Inns & Suites, Hawthorn Suites, America’s Best Inns & Suites and AmeriSuites hotel brands. Earlier he was president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide. From 1985 to 1990, he was president of Days Inn of America, where he led Days’ initiatives to hire older workers, people with disabilities and the homeless. He was later recognized by AARP as “Outstanding Employer.” Leven also served as president of Americana Hotels.

In 1989 he was a founding member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), which today has grown to an 8,000 member organization dedicated to fair franchising practices in the hospitality industry. He is a former international president of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International and is a member of its Hall of Fame.

Said Leven when he was informed of his 2005 award from AAFD, “I am honored to be recognized by the AAFD with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout my career in the hospitality industry, I have placed great value on the franchise relationship and have been committed to the practice of fair franchising. My vision for USFS was to create a company that would be a leading example, both ethically and financially, in the business of franchising, and I believe we have done so.” Other recent honors include the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor from the University of Houston C.N. Hilton Hotel & College; first occupant, William R. Tiefel Distinguished Speakers Chair for Hospitality College at Johnson & Wales University; HSMAI’s “hot list” of 25 Most Extraordinary Sales & Marketing Minds in Hospitality & Travel; and the Above and Beyond Award at The Lodging Conference, among many others.

Leven also has a proud record of community service. He is chair of the United Jewish Communities Marketing and Public Affairs Committee, and general chairman of the Atlanta State of Israel Bonds Committee. In addition, he is vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, a trustee of The Marcus Foundation, director of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute, a board member of the Marcus Institute and the Georgia Aquarium, and a past member of the National Board of Governors of the American Red Cross.

Leven holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University and Master of Science from Boston University. He and his wife, Andrea, reside in Atlanta. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

US Franchise Systems is the franchisor of Microtel, America’s Best Inns & Suites, Hawthorn Suites and recently acquired AmeriSuites brands. The Microtel brand is the first budget-economy chain to offer free local and long distance phone service, as well as free wireless high-speed Internet service in all guestrooms. The initiative, dubbed “Project Reveille,” raised the bar on the scope of amenities that economy-budget hotels offer to guests.

USFS has also instituted new programs to help their franchisees succeed. The Hawthorn Suites brand, for example, introduced a Local Sales Support program designed to capture incremental room revenue in local markets at no cost to Hawthorn franchisees. Those franchisees receive a “Success Plan” workbook that provides valuable information about targeted companies with potential room nights; where their employees, customers and vendors stay; reasons for travel; and future needs.

The Franchisor of the Year Award reflects the tremendous support the AAFD has received from USFS, especially through the efforts of Roy Flora, USFS executive vice president of franchise operations. Flora has served for several years on the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards Committee, and has been an ardent promoter of the AAFD’s vision of Total Quality Franchising. He has recently been nominated to serve on the AAFD Board of Directors.

“US Franchise Systems has, since its inception, committed itself to being a company that continually initiates paradigm shifts with respect to the manner in which we conduct our business and the relationships that we establish, nurture and enjoy with our franchisees. This award recognizes that we are on the right track,” said Flora.

When USFS earned its first Franchisor of the Year recognition in 2000, the AAFD wrote, “As the fastest growing hospitality industry franchise company, US Franchise Systems symbolizes the AAFD’s conviction that fair franchising is good business. The company has made a significant statement by dedicating itself to promoting fair franchising relationships.” In recognizing USFS for the second time, the AAFD Awards Committee looked above and beyond its praise for the company’s commitment to fair franchising standards. The organization has clearly distinguished itself as much for its business innovation and support for the profitability of its network as it has for its dedication to quality franchising.

The AAFD has also announced nominees for all of its Total Quality Franchising Awards, which will be presented at the AAFD Total Quality Franchising Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 30, in San Diego.

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers is the oldest and largest direct member non- profit trade association representing the interests of franchisees and independent dealer networks throughout the United States. Stressing market solutions and franchisee empowerment through independent franchisee associations, the AAFD has grown to represent more than 12,000 franchised businesses nationwide.

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