Country Inns & Suites By Carlson

Founded: 1986 Franchising since: 1987
In 1987 Curtis Carlson founded Country Inns & Suites, a companion to his family of hotels and restaurants that includes Radisson Hotels and TGI Friday's. The hotels, which are located in metropolitan and rural areas, feature studios and one-bedroom suites that may have refrigerators and microwaves.

For business travelers, Country Inns offer breakfast rooms, meeting rooms and lobbies that can be used for meetings. Locations also feature pools, coin-operated laundry facilities and exercise facilities. All guests are given complimentary breakfast, cookies and a morning paper. At each hotel, children under 18 stay free with an adult.

P.O. Box 59159 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55459-8205

Phone: (800)336-3301/ (763)212-1000

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 250 employee(s); 25 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	453	14	16	9
2008	413	14	15	9
2007	385	14	14	9
2006	357	13	16	9
2005	328	12	14	6

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies based on hotel location

Total investment: $4.2M-6.5M Franchise fee: Varies

Ongoing royalty fee: 4.5% Term of agreement: 15 years

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Marketing skills

Operations

• 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 day
• At franchisee's location: 20 hours
• Additional training available

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#117 (2009); #130 (2008); #107 (2007); #130 (2006); #189 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#92 (2009); #105 (2008); #85 (2007); #114 (2006); #158 (2005);