ATLANTA–Americas Best Franchising, Inc. had positive news for attendees at its annual Owners & General Managers Conference today at the Sheraton Downtown Atlanta here. In addition to adding a new brand, the company has also formed a partnership with Google to enhance and optimize its online presence.
Doug Collins, president/CEO, Americas Best Franchising, Inc., reported that despite the still lagging econmy, ABFIs brands are continuing to thrive and the company is focused on domestic and international expansion across the boards. “Our focus is turning opportunities into results. As a group we have come long way, but we also have much more to accomplish. Because we remain a street corner business, local marketing is more important than ever and there is no replacement for being as proactive as possible,” he said to attendees. “Sieze the moment to get out there and capture your competitors business and be aware the ways of attracting guests are evolving.”
To capitalize on that evolving population of guests, Collins explained ABFIs partnership with Google will work to enhance each propertys visibility on the Internet by maximizing Googles Analytics and AdWord capabilities. “We have invested significantly on behalf of all our brands and are the only hospitaltiy franchise to have such a program. The partnership is part of a major push to embrace social media. Were laying the foundation and will show you how to capitalize social media to capture new business opportunities,” he said.
On the expansion front, Collins announced ABFIs recent partnership with London-based Parkside Hotels & Resorts, which currently has 25 hotels worldwide. “Effective today, we will cross marked all existing properties and develop new hotels for the next 25 years,” he said. “This significantly expands our international offerings and is a new chapter for our continued success.” In addition to the new brand announcement, ABFIs other brands have achieved milestones as well and will achieve 300 hotels system-wide this year. “Budgetel has expanded to 20 properties and we will open our first Budgetel on the East Coast in Williamsburg, VA next week. We are looking to grow all of our brands in ways that will be a win for our franchisees, for our brands, and for Americas Best Franchising.”