AFM Franchise Division Has Double-Digit Growth

TORONTO— AFM Hospitality Corp.’s Canadian Franchise Division completed 31 new franchise applications for the six months ending June 30, 2003, representing a 55% increase over the same period last year. Additionally, there are 31 franchise applications scheduled to become franchisees of one of AFM’s multiple franchise brands over the next six months, and seven franchise applications already scheduled for 2004 openings, according to Glen Blake, president/CEO of the AFM Hospitality Franchise Division. AFM Hospitality is the master Canadian franchisor of Howard Johnson, Aston, La Quinta, Park Plaza, Hawthorn Suites, Best Inns and other hotel brands. Of the 31 new franchise applications processed during the first six months, the Howard Johnson brand led the way with 16 applications, Blake said. He added that seven applications were processed for Knights Inn; three for Villager Lodge; and the remaining five were divided among the Best Inns, Hawthorn and Park Plaza brands. For the first half of 2003, the AFM Hospitality Franchise Division reported a combined total of 119 committed applications and open and/or executed license agreements representing 9,879 rooms. This represents an increase of 35% in the combined total of committed applications and open and/or executed license agreements versus the same period in 2002 for continuing operations.