ATLANTA— The Best Inns & Suites brand is expecting to increase development to grow the chain by 20% by mid-year. As such, U.S. Franchise Systems (USFS), franchisor of the mid-priced hotel brand, has reportedly put the muscle of the company behind streamlining the conversion process to enable hotels to more quickly enter the ranks of that franchise system. According to USFS Chairman/CEO Mike Leven: “In todays economy, it is more important than ever to facilitate the conversion process quickly to ensure that hotels receive the support they need to be successful before they are in financial trouble.” The anticipated shortened conversion time would be tied to modification of the property-improvement process so that the prospective franchisee does not have to complete unnecessary upgrades to the hotel in order to enter the system. Additionally, USFS indicated it also has prioritized the growth of the Best system in an effort to assist struggling independent hotels in maintaining profitability during a time viewed as being one of some of the slowest economic growth the industry has seen. Since the first of the year, seven hotels have reportedly raised the Best flag, with an additional 14 properties slated to open by the end of second quarter. Recently opened Best properties include hotels in: Fresno, San Francisco/Lombard and San Francisco/Van Ness, CA; New Florence, MO; Jackson/Flowood and Vicksburg, MS; and Winston Salem, NC. At presstime, it was noted there are currently 131 independently owned and operated Best-branded hotels open in North America.