Shoney's Inn Brand to Be Relaunched
First Shoney’s Inn Opened in 1976 in Hinesville, Georgia
HENDERSONVILLE, TN, August 16, 2007. Fresh off the heels of their Dec. 2006 purchase of GuestHouse International, which included the Shoney's Inn brand, from ShoLodge Inc., Settle Inn & Suites is on the move again.
"The Shoney's Inn hotel brand is a great brand. During its initial launch and expansion, it experienced tremendous growth. Shoney's is a well known brand with quality properties and reviving a great brand is a no-brainer", said Tim O'Connor, SVP Brand Management for the company now franchising the Settle Inn & Suites and GuestHouse International lodging brands. The first Shoney's Inn was opened in 1976 in Hinesville GA, from where it eventually grew to over 100 hotels at its peak.
"With the relaunch of the Shoney's Inn brand, we intend to provide experienced owners with a great brand in the economy sector without the high fees, long-term contracts, and punitive mandates common in today's franchisee agreements, yet with the power to stand up to the strongest of competitors," O'Connor said.
Working with the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD), Settle Inn & Suites developed a franchise agreement that has been recognized as the most franchisee friendly, not only in the lodging industry, but across all sectors - achieving a near perfect score of 99.3% conformity to the AAFD standards.
"Settle Inn & Suites has demonstrated its commitment to fair franchising, as the cornerstone of its franchise program, by working with the AAFD to get within 1 percent of a perfect score in our grading process," said Robert Purvin, AAFD Chairman. "The Settle Inn & Suites agreement truly sets a new standard for franchise agreements, and the AAFD is delighted to welcome Settle Inn & Suites to take its place on our marketplace pedestal for all to see", said Purvin.
Terry Kline, SVP of Franchise Sales & Development for the company added, "Bottom-line, with Shoney's Inn, you'll get a smart experienced franchise partner, an award winning franchise agreement, and some of the lowest fees in the industry, plus we have access to the best markets in America." Kline said the Shoney's Inn brand will be headquartered in Hendersonville, TN with both the Settle Inn & Suites and GuestHouse International brands.
Currently, the company operates over 5700 rooms domestic U.S. with one GuestHouse International property in China.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
