Users of ChoiceBuys.com, the web-based purchasing system developed by Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), have known for over a year what competing chains are just discovering - that online purchasing is an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional purchasing methods.
In fact, according to Choice Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Brad Douglas, the system that has consistently outpaced the industry in its development and enhancements is about to deploy a newer, faster version that transforms ChoiceBuys.com from a purchasing site to a fullservice communications portal.

“We’re flattered that some of our industry colleagues are following our lead in the development of e-purchasing systems,” said Douglas. “The good news for Choice franchisees is that we’ve been fine-tuning and enhancing our system for over a year - which puts us in the forefront in terms of technology and features.”

ChoiceBuys.com is currently used by almost half of Choice’s 3,100 Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brand franchisees. To date, more than 150 of Choice’s endorsed suppliers are represented on the system, offering over 7,000 products from hard goods to linens to shampoo.

Through the system, franchisees are able to purchase directly from these suppliers at negotiated prices; they are able to pay via credit card or by opening an online credit account; and a search engine enables them to find exactly what they need and at the price they want to pay.

Later this month, new front end pages will be incorporated into ChoiceBuys.com. These pages will contain new vendor news, buyer testimonials, rules and regulations for Choice brands, links to hospitality news websites, local, regional and corporate news, training schedules, and more. “ChoiceBuys.com is becoming the one-stop-shop for hotel owners and operators looking to maximize the value of their franchise,” said Douglas. “As the only e-purchasing site developed and hosted by a hotel company, we’re in a unique position to tailor our site to the specific needs of the hotel owner.”

Choice Hotels International is the second largest hotel franchisor in the world, with more than 4,000 hotels, representing 330,000 rooms, open in 36 countries. Brands marketed by Choice include Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites.

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