BAYVILLE, NJ— With the rolling out of Welcome Inns of America, corporate executive partners John Parkin and Jay Patel have expressed high hopes for the new membership-affiliated hotel/motel entity. In fact, it could be said the most appropriate word to describe the nature of the new operation might be modest— as it applies to chain-growth projections as well as fee structure. Recognizing that their organization offers a viable and realistic alternative to franchising, Parkin— who also serves as company president—and Patel maintained Welcome Inns of America has been set up as a membership brand, offering hotel/motel owners many of the benefits and services offered by franchise relationships…“without the long-term commitment” some franchisees find unsettling because of the “one-way nature” of the relationship. “Additionally,” Parkin noted, “we also offer simplified standards as well as a lower range of fees; fees not tied to or based on property revenues. According to Parkin: “The new flag is a conversion-friendly opportunity product for the small hotel/motel owner [40 – 60 rooms, on average]; primarily limited-service properties that have been overlooked for one reason or another by the major franchise companies.” As such, he said the focus will be on independent hotels/motels across the country located in markets where they are surrounded by franchised properties and area-of-protection (AOP) issues have left them as independents. “We are looking at the older, smaller, single- and two-story hotels that need help. Those owners who are good operators, but cannot afford the initial fees or renovation cost associated with being a franchise, [constitute]a segment that has been virtually ignored in the industry for years,” said Patel. To help make life, and business, easier for prospective member properties, it was noted that the initial membership fee of $4,500 (based on property size) and the on-going monthly fee of $12 per room (which includes advertising and is again based on property size) has intentionally been established to be among “the lowest in the industry.” Moreover, there are already six Welcome Inns of America up and running, with another nine well along in the agreement process. At this point, all properties are situated along the East Coast, though that orientation is likely to widen rapidly as the company moves toward its projected line-up of between 70 – 80 properties by year’s end. Nationwide Development of America LLC has been designated as the holding company for the new chain. Further information on Welcome Inns of America may be obtained by calling 800-809-INNS or by visiting the organization’s promotional website at www.welcomeinns.7h.com.
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