Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., president and CEO of Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), today recognized developers Dilip and Nandy Pranav as the owners of the 2000th Comfort brand hotel, a 63-suite Comfort Suites hotel opened last month in McKinney, TX.

Ledsinger commended the Pranavs in front of 4,000-plus Choice brand franchisees gathered in Atlanta for the company`s annual convention, saying that their family embodies “the real reason for Comfort`s success - the commitment, business acumen and vision of our franchisees.”
According to Ledsinger, the Comfort brand was launched in 1981 as an alternative to primarily full-service lodging options. “The Comfort brand helped establish the limited service segment in the marketplace - a segment that is, today, arguably the industry`s most successful,” he said. “The first Comfort Inn hotels introduced travelers to the concept that a clean, comfortable room can be had at an affordable rate.”

The Comfort Suites brand, launched in 1986, also broke new ground, according to Ledsinger. “Combining the value proposition represented by the Comfort name with the amenities associated with all-suite hotels was an immediate win-win for guests and developers of Comfort Suites hotels,” Ledsinger said.

Today, Comfort Inn or Comfort Suites flags fly in all 50 states and in 28 nations around the world. The brands` attributes have been lauded in leading travel and business publications; most recently, Comfort Inn was selected as a winner of Entrepreneur Magazine`s 9th Annual Business Travel Awards and named the “best low-priced hotel value” in the magazine`s April 2002 issue.
The newly-opened Comfort Suites hotel in McKinney, owned by the Pranavs, offers standards for which the brand is renowned, including a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, free daily newspaper, a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, and participation in Choice Privileges, Choice`s frequent traveler program. The hotel also bears the reimaged Comfort Suites logo.

“We believe in long-term relationships,” said Dilip Pranav, developer of Choice brand hotels since 1983. “The Comfort name is strong and respected by travelers, and Comfort Suites is a quality prototype product. We are proud that our hotel is the 2000th Comfort brand hotel to open, and we expect the hotel to do exceptionally well in the north Texas market.”

Choice Hotels International has more than 5,000 hotels in 43 countries operating under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brand names. To make a reservation at a Comfort Inn hotel, call 1-800-4CHOICE or visit Choice`s website at www.choicehotels.com.

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