Keegan To Oversee Development And Site Acquistion For Amerihost

DES PLAINES, IL? Amerihost Properties has added former Suburban Lodges of America Director of Franchise Sales Dick Keegan to the rolls of its operating subsidiary Amerihost Development as vp/hotel development. In his new position with the company, Keegan?s official duties will include identifying markets throughout the country fitting the AmeriHost Inn and AmeriHost Inn & Suites brand profile, negotiating the purchase and development of hotel sites, and securing financing for the construction and operation of most of the company?s hotel portfolio. He will also be involved in the sale of both the company?s hotel products, whether wholly or partially owned. ?In the broader sense, I?ll actually be handling development, disposition and site-acquisition for Amerihost,? Keegan said. A big part of his responsibilities will entail finding buyers (i.e., franchisees) for selected existing built-to-suit properties and those currently under construction. In turn, the cash realized from these ?sales? would be used to pay down debt as well as to finance further new development. Developing locations at the rate of two new properties for each one sold, Keegan noted the company expects to build between 12 to 14 hotels this year. ?Growing out of our commitment to accelerate our franchising program, Amerihost?s growth rate should be roughly 30% greater than it has been over the course of the past three years.? Amerihost currently numbers 90 properties in total, with 77 under the Amerihost banner and 60 of those sites company-owned and operated. Amerihost?s ?sales pitch? to prospective owners/franchisees would simply promise: ?We will set you up in the lodging business.? As Keegan explained, the simplicity and opportunity embodied in this approach has proven to be popular with upwardly mobile entrepreneurs as well as new entrants to the industry. One reason Amerihost has drawn considerable interest from two distinct segments of the business population may be because the company can offer two prototype properties. The more basic of the two structures constitutes a two-story, 60-room facility featuring interior corridors and an indoor pool, while those seeking a step up can select a three-story model encompassing 92 units including a complement of suite/rooms, and similarly offering interior corridors and an indoor pool. As a result of this flexibility as well as the company?s ?solid mid-market positioning,? Keegan said Amerihost?s near-term prospects appear ?very promising.? During the course of a career that has provided him with experience in hotel development as well as in hotel operations, Keegan has put in stints with Choice Hotels International, U.S. Inns, Keegan & Associates, The Abbey Group Ltd., Milwaukee Co. Properties, Midway Management Group and Marcus Corp.