Best Inns & Suites' New 'EverGreen' Rooms Are Nothing to Sneeze at For Allergy Sufferers (5/00)

With concern for our health at an all-time high, and a growing awareness of the ill-effects of indoor air and water quality, today's consumers want a healthier experience on the road. Now, after a successful pilot program and to meet the needs of this growing market, Best Inns & Suites -- the chain of mid-priced economy hotels -- is providing special EverGreen™ accommodations for health conscious, environmentally- sensitive guests at all its hotels nationwide.

According to Mike Leven, president and CEO of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS), franchisor of the Best Inns & Suites brand, 10 percent of guestrooms or up to 10 health-conscious rooms at each Best hotel are currently being installed, with all hotels in the system to be completed by mid-summer. Each EverGreen™ guestroom contains two EverGreen™ Aire cleaners, an EverGreen™ filtered drinking system and an EverGreen™ filtered shower system with massage head. Each hotel also has an EverGreen™ water system in the breakfast area.

The health-conscious rooms are being installed by Wilmington, N.C.-based EverGreen Rooms by Hartford, Inc., which has been manufacturing, selling and servicing its air and water purification systems to the lodging industry since 1992. According to James Felds, president, "We're delighted to team with Best Inns & Suites, which is perfectly positioned to attract health-conscious travelers looking for extra value and comfort as well." EverGreen Rooms by Hartford, Inc., formerly The Hartford Air & Water Authority, Inc., sells and services some 3,500 EverGreen™ rooms in 40 states.