Choice Hotels Success Continues In Recruiting Minority and First-Time Hotel Franchisees

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International today announced that domestic hotel franchise agreements with minority and non-lodging entrepreneurs increased 25 percent over 2005, with Choice's emerging markets team adding 35 new franchisees in 2006. These new franchisees, who are African American, Hispanic, Native American, and non-traditional hoteliers, all have majority ownership of a Choice brand hotel.

"We are very excited about the tremendous progress we made in attracting diverse franchisees to the Choice family," said Brian Parker, vice president, emerging markets and new business development. "We will continue to conduct extensive outreach efforts to these underrepresented populations in the lodging community. Our goal is to introduce them to the concept of hotel investing and raise awareness about Choice Hotels and our brands as a potentially strong investment vehicle. We are very proud of our progress in this area, which we feel compares very favorably to other companies in the industry."

The emerging markets team executed franchise agreements for nine of Choice's ten brands, and the mix was balanced with 55 percent of its contracts for new construction hotels and 45 percent for conversion hotels. Deals were executed nationwide in 14 sates: Texas, California, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Mississippi, Colorado, Tennessee, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Connecticut.

A key component in raising awareness among minority and non-traditional hoteliers was Choice's launch of its emerging markets Web site dedicated exclusively to these populations, a first for a hotel company. The site, which can be accessed at http://www.choicehotelsfranchise.com/emerging_markets, provides potential franchisees with a wealth of information about hotel investments and Choice Hotels family of brands. The emerging markets team also hosted a series of well-attended seminars throughout the country that served to increase knowledge about Choice Hotels and its brands among African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,300 hotels, representing more than 430,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 40 countries and territories. As of December 31, 2006, 860 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 66,238 rooms, and an additional 70 hotels, representing 6,317 rooms, are under development in more than 20 countries and territories. The company's Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands serve guests worldwide.

Additional corporate information may be found on Choice Hotels' Internet site, which may be accessed at http://www.choicehotels.com/.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.