America's Best Celebrates Successful 2006

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. October 14, 2008

JANUARY 25, 2007. Success paves way for internal growth, expanded sales staff and regions America's Best Franchising, Inc. - which franchises Country Hearth Inns & Suites and America's Best Inns & Suites - has reported a very prosperous year, selling 30 franchises and adding 25 hotels and 1866 rooms to its portfolio during 2006. Included are Country Hearth Inns' first international hotel locations in Canada (London, Ontario, and Niagara Falls), and America's Best Inns & Suites' first hotels in South America (two in Argentina). The new hotels range in size from 50 to 200-plus rooms.

Success has paved the way for internal growth, with several promotions and additions to the sales staff, as well as expanded regions of operation. The company's new sales force includes: industry veterans Raj Vakharia, Mike Motichek (with territories including Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma), Andrew Kono (the Midwest), Shailesh Patel (Texas), and Sandy Galvin (Florida). The franchise sales team is headed up by Jason Yarbrough, Vice President of Franchise Development.

"We are excited about the increased interest in our brands and our progress in numerous markets across the U.S. and internationally, and look forward to responsibly growing both brands into prominent lodging systems," said Doug Collins, Chairman and CEO of America's Best Franchising, Inc. and its subsidiaries. "In addition to continuing to provide extraordinary service and support to help each of our franchisees succeed, our goal in 2007 is to sell one franchise per week."

In addition to the two hotels in Canada, newly-opened Country Hearth Inns hotels are located in: Dothan, AL; Putnam, CT; Savannah and Union City, GA; Edwardsville, IL; Bloomington and Fort, Wayne, IN; Fremont, NE; Elko, NV; Blue Springs, MO; South Point, OH, and Columbia, SC.

In addition to the two hotels in Argentina, newly-opened America's Best Inns & Suites hotels are located in: Birmingham, AL; Fort Lauderdale, FL (2); Commerce, GA; Troy, OH; Carlisle, PA, and Charleston, Columbia and Summerton, SC.

At year's end, the new hotels brought the Country Hearth Inns & Suites lodging system total to 75 properties and 4454 rooms open in the U.S. and Canada, and America's Best Inns & Suites lodging system total to 90 properties and 5961 rooms open in the U.S., Canada and South America. In addition, the company also has 15 executed agreements and 10 approved applications.

In related news, Central Reservations System contributions during 2006 were up almost 30% over the previous year. A significant part of the growth was attributed to the company's initiative to develop new individual websites for properties to capture additional bookings online. In addition, ADR (average daily rate) for Country Hearth Inns & Suites was $68.50, and for America's Best Inns & Suites was $67.50, both of which are increases over the previous year.

The Country Hearth Inns & Suites brand prides itself in mid-priced, limited-service hotels that provide Southern hospitality, comfort and value. Hotels combine the homespun atmosphere of a bed and breakfast with the convenience of a hotel, including daily complimentary InnCredible Breakfast(R), freshly baked cookies and free local calls.