Baymont Inns & Suites Creates Separate Franchise Division to Fuel Future franchise Expansion

MILWAUKEE (November 19, 1999) -- Reinforcing its commitment to an aggressive nationwide franchise growth strategy, Baymont Inns & Suites today announced that a separate business entity, Baymont Franchises International, will serve as a separate operating unit from the company-owned unit of Baymont Inns & Suites. Daniel W. Daniele, previously Baymont's senior vice president of development, has been named president to oversee the company's franchise unit.

A division of The Marcus Corporation, Baymont Inns & Suites currently owns or franchises 170 inns in 30 states, 74 of which are operated by franchisees.

With more than 20 years' experience in the lodging industry, including franchise development, Daniele provides Baymont Franchises International with a tremendous breadth of experience to lead the company's continued development in franchise expansion, according to Marcus Corporation Chairman and CEO Stephen H. Marcus.

"Under Dan Daniele's leadership, Baymont Franchises International is poised for unprecedented franchise growth," Marcus said. "Franchise development is a vital component to Baymont's future growth and creating the Baymont Franchises International division is another pivotal move to ensure the long-term success of the company," Marcus added. Based on the company's record level of franchise interest since Baymont Inns & Suites' national debut in January, the Baymont Franchises International unit reiterates the company's commitment to franchise development.

"New franchisee agreements and interest in Baymont Inns & Suites has reached record proportions since the brand was launched earlier in the year," Marcus said. "Based on the phenomenal franchisee interest in Baymont Inns & Suites, the Baymont Franchises International unit will serve as an integral resource to current and prospective franchisees," Marcus added.

The company indicated that the existing unit, Baymont Inns & Suites, will continue to oversee the operations of the 96 company-owned inns. Greg Marcus, senior vice president of Woodfield Suites, will continue to serve as acting chief operating officer of Baymont Inns & Suites while a nationwide executive search continues for the unit's top position.

"An aggressive nationwide executive search for this position remains a top priority during this dynamic period for the company," said Stephen Marcus. "We're extremely optimistic an announcement will be made in the near future," Marcus added.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., The Marcus Corporation is comprised of four divisions: limited-service lodging, movie theatres, hotels/resorts and restaurants. The company operates or franchises 170 Baymont Inns & Suites in 30 states, and a total of six Woodfield Suites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado and Ohio; 450 movie screens in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin; three hotels and a resort in Wisconsin, one hotel and a resort in California, one hotel in Minnesota and one resort in Michigan; and 30 KFC restaurants in Wisconsin.

For franchise information visit Baymont Inns & Suites on BISON.