Press Release: U.S. Franchise Systems
February 13, 2001
ATLANTA, GA -- Hawthorn Suites has honored its outstanding hotels and franchisees for 2000. Those cited represent
the best of the entire brand, which currently has more than 165 open or under construction.
Hotel of the Year went to the Chelmsford, Mass. Hawthorn Suites LTD, owned by Lowell, Mass-based Princeton Properties.
Commented Steve Hymans, vice president of brand marketing for Hawthorn, ``This Hawthorn has successfully marketed
itself in the North Chelmsford community and offers regular activities for both guests and employees. The property
truly is committed to 'treating your associates well' and it shows with a turnover of only five percent.''
The property participates in The Walk for Cancer, Daffodil Day, Toys for Tots, the Firefighters Fund and DARE.
In addition, employees regularly volunteer as 'greeters' to travelers at the I-495 Visitors Center and make donations
to local food drives and scholarship funds. Located at 25 Research Place, the 105-room hotel features studio and
one-bedroom suites. Additional nominations for Hotel of the Year included properties in Chandler, Ariz., Santa
Clara, Calif. and South Burlington, Ver.
Franchisee of the Year went to Steve Olson, co-founder, president and CEO of Hutchinson, Kan.-based Leisure Hotel
Group of Companies. Commented Mike Leven, chairman and CEO of US Franchise Systems (USFS), parent company of the
franchisor of Hawthorn, ``Steve is a 28-year veteran with extensive experience in all facets of our industry --
from operational to negotiating, financing and developing multi-million dollar hotel and land development projects.
He is also known for producing a quality product, hiring quality people and doing what he says he will.''
Olson teamed with businessmen Fran Jabara and Richard Smith in 1985 to form Leisure Hotel Group of Companies, which
specializes in the development and management of hotels in the limited-, suite- and full-service markets. Now employing
over 500 people, it is one of the industry's fastest growing companies. Olson is a member of Hawthorn's Franchise
Advisory Committee.
Additional Winners
In addition, Hawthorn's outstanding general manager and salesperson of the year were cited. Don Bruce, general
manager of the S. Burlington, Vt. Hawthorn Suites hotel, a 104-suite property located at 401 Dorset Dr., was named
General Manager of the Year. Under Bruce's direction, the property continues to exceed goals set for the year in
almost every category and received a 497 (out of 500) on its last quality assurance inspection.
``Bruce joined Hawthorn prior to the opening of the S. Burlington property in 1998 and was instrumental in recruiting
key personnel and building a start- up team that is still together today,'' said Hymans. Bruce, a 14-year hospitality
veteran, is also an adjunct faculty member with the Champlain College Hospitality Program.
Salesperson of the Year went to Marion El Awar, director of sales of the Ann Arbor, Mich. Hawthorn Suites hotel.
A member of the property's opening team in 1998, El Awar has helped the property ring in impressive occupancy rates,
and increased group bookings by 38 percent. Hailing from Manchester, Jamaica, El Awar began her hospitality career
in 1985 as entertainment coordinator for Super Clubs Resorts. She has resided in the U.S. for over 10 years, working
her way up from front desk clerk. She received her undergraduate degree in hotel/restaurant management from East
Michigan University and is currently pursuing a master's degree. The Hawthorn Suites hotel in Ann Arbor features
82 studio, one- and two-bedroom suites.
Hawthorn is the predominantly upper-end extended-stay hotel chain targeted to business travelers attending training
classes, handling long-term projects or on other extended-stay travel, as well as to leisure travelers needing
stays of any length. Hotels offer daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet and evening social hour, and such all-inclusive
amenities and business services as exercise room, guest laundry and valet, and daily complimentary newspaper. Many
properties offer a Sport Court®, meeting facilities and on- site Convenience Store. Suites are equipped with
full- or mini-kitchens, coffeemakers, two-line phones with modem ports and voice mail and extended cable televisions
with movie channel and VCP.
For reservations, contact 1-800-527-1133 toll-free, or visit www.hawthorn.com
to access information and make reservations instantly.
All Hawthorn hotels are independently owned and operated.
SOURCE: U.S. Franchise Systems