Atlanta-based America's Best Franchising Inc. will open its first dual-branded property in East Ridge in December. The building will feature both a 126-room Country Hearth Inn & Suites and a 94-room America's Best Inn & Suites.
"While having two hotels under one roof is relatively rare, it enables us to broaden our appeal to the market and be more economical by having one back of the house and two front houses," said Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of America's Best Franchising.
The property is located at the high-traffic intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 24 in Tennessee near the Georgia state line. It is the last motel on the right past I-75 across from the Flea Market and the new Wendy's.
The hotels will share an entrance and lobby, as well as a full-service kitchen, fitness center, and meeting space.
The two hotels will also share a sales and marketing team on-site, plus both will have representation on the America's Best Franchising on-line reservations system, which features a separate website for each of the company's more than 200 properties - an industry first.
"The property - formerly a Howard Johnson's - will undergo renovation, including new FF&E, and it will become the area's only full-service
hotel, featuring a restaurant to be called the Chattanooga Steakhouse," said Mr. Collins.
"Given today's competitive lodging marketplace, dual branding is a very
creative and cost-effective way to appeal to more guests at a very busy, under-served location," he said.
America's Best Franchising operates four hotel brands - the upper economy Country Hearth Inns & Suites, America's Best Inns & Suites, and Budgetel Inns & Suites plus the upscale 3 Palms brand for independent and condo hotels.