US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS),
parent company of the franchisor of Hawthorn Suites, the extended stay
brand, has announced that a master franchise agreement with Tanzania-based
Nyamajeje & Associates Company will bring Hawthorn Suites to East Africa,
the region comprised of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda and the United
Republic of Tanzania.
According to Nicodemas Nyamajeje, chairman of Nyamajeje & Associates,
three Hawthorn Suites properties are in the planning stages for
development in Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha, Tanzania.

“As Hawthorn Suites continues to expand internationally, the potential for
development in Africa is substantial,” said Mike Leven, president and CEO
of USFS. “We look forward to working with Nicodemas and his team.”
Currently there is a Hawthorn Suites under construction in Abuja, Nigeria,
and 10 additional Hawthorn Suites properties under consideration for
development in West Africa.

Construction will begin in Mwanza in July 2004 with the renovation of the
two-story Pamba Hotel. Four additional floors will be added, including a
rooftop restaurant and lounge with panoramic views of Lake Victoria. The
Dar es Salaam property will be built on 2-1/2 acres in the downtown of
Tanzania’s capital city, and will contain a ballroom, meeting room and two
boardrooms to accommodate 600. Both hotels will provide such all-inclusive
brand amenities as spacious one- and two-bedroom suites with
fully-equipped or mini kitchens; work desks with ergonomic chairs;
two-line phones with modem ports; voice mail; high speed Internet access,
and satellite television with international programming and movies.

The Arusha Hawthorn will be positioned close to Mount Kilimanjaro and
Serengeti National Park, and will offer such resort-type amenities as
Olympic pool and cabanas, tournament tennis courts, barbecue area, meeting
rooms to accommodate up to 400, and a boardroom.

“There is a real need in East Africa for a quality extended stay hotel
brand,” said Nyamajeje. “The combination of Hawthorn’s fair franchising
practices and high standards for quality make it the understandable
choice.”

For additional information, visit http://www.hawthorn.com/ or call
Hawthorn toll-free at 1-800-527-1133. As of March 31, 2004, there were 115
Hawthorn Suites hotels open or under construction. Hawthorn Suites guests
can now earn points or miles in the Hyatt Gold Passport(R) frequency
program with each eligible stay.
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