Payless Brands Available To Independents

ST. PETERSBURG, FL— Payless Inn and Payless Inn & Suites are being launched as alternatives for independent operators looking for a brand name without the investment and long-term contracts associated with a franchise affiliation, with the company looking to add 50 properties by year’s end and 200 properties by year-end 2004. “With the popularity of the Internet, we offer our members a reservation system dedicated to non-flagship motels, hotels, inns and resort properties,” said Michael Harley, president, Avalon Global Group, Inc., the parent company to Payless Lodging. “Were the e-brand solution to increase reservations while offering the option of a brand affiliation without becoming a franchise.” With a Payless Inn or Payless Inn & Suites membership, independents operate under the Payless Lodging brands. All members receive technical resources and sales and marketing support, including guest management software, World Wide Web exposure on the GDS distribution system and credit-card processing discounts. A reservation system dedicated strictly to independent properties that want to retain their identities also is available.