Silver Spring, MD (July 11, 2002) - Formalizing an overwhelming vote by Comfort Inn franchisees to enhance customer satisfaction by adopting new brand standards, Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) has announced the addition of six mandatory amenities for Comfort Inn brand hotels: in-room coffee makers, hair dryers, clock radios, irons and ironing boards, free local phone calls and free long distance access.

The new features will be required in all Comfort Inn rooms by January 1, 2003.
According to Dean Baij, senior director and brand manager for Comfort Inns, the brand`s franchisees were polled at the company`s recent convention, with an overwhelming majority (85 percent) supporting the additional standards and 97 percent advocating a renewed focus on customer satisfaction for the brand.

“The prevailing sentiment among franchisees, as demonstrated by this vote, is that customers` expectations must be exceeded at Comfort Inn hotels,” Baij said.
He added that most Comfort Inn franchisees already offer the newly standardized amenities. “This fact, coupled with overwhelming support by franchisees and their franchisee association leadership for the changes, should make implementation of the new standards extremely smooth,” Baij said.

Products necessary to comply with the new standards are available via a specially designated section of ChoiceBuys.com, Choice`s award winning e-procurement site.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) is one of the world`s largest lodging franchisors, franchising more than 5,000 hotels in 46 countries under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn brand names. For more information on Choice, visit the company`s Internet site at www.choicehotels.com.

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