Quality%20Inns:%20Nearly%2065%20Years%20of%20Innovation%20in%20the%20Lodging%20Industry

1
Quality Inns Nearly 65 Years of Innovation in
the Lodging Industry
Quality Inn, Anderson, SC

• Lee G. Gilman
• Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Clemson University
• Clemson, SC

2
Beginnings

• 1939- Seven Florida motel owners form Quality
  Courts United, a not-for-profit motel referral
  chain.
• Was formed to increase business at the individual
  motels through cooperation
• Early concentration was in the Southeast

3
Quality Courts Thruway Motor Inn, New York
4
Quality Courts Firsts

• First to conduct quality inspections of motels
• First to publish chain directories
• First to mandate in room carpeting, pools,
  telephones
• First 1-800 reservation system

5
1955 Quality Courts United motel directory
6
1960s, 1970s, and 1980s

• In 1963 Quality Courts became a for-profit
  franchise operation
• In 1972 changed name to Quality Inns
  International
• During the 1980s improved standards, dropped
  underperforming hotels, and added new brands
• In 1990 became Choice Hotels International

7
(No Transcript)
8
Comfort Inns

• Created by Quality International in 1981
• Limited service, luxury budget hotels
• Impressive growth 860 properties opened in first
  eight years
• Now Choices largest chain

9
Sleep Inns

• Created by Quality International in 1988
• All new construction, prototype design economy
  hotels
• Interior corridor access, unique design features
  to cut down on costs
• Highly ranked on consumer satisfaction surveys

10
Choices Other Brands

• Clarion Hotels, founded as Quality Royale in 1981
• Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn, purchased in 1990
• Company created MainStay Suites extended stay
  hotels in 1996

11
Recent Innovations

• Launched www.choicehotels.com in 1995.
• Unveiled new logos for Sleep Inns, Comfort
  Suites, and Quality Inns in 2001

12
Quality Inns continues to lead the hospitality
industry after over 60 years of leadership