Budgetel Unveils New Logo, Announces First Opening

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. October 14, 2008

AUGUST 22, 2007. The "Budgetel" hotel brand is about to emerge onto America's hospitality scene with an eye-catching new logo and the opening of its first property.

"Our name has a very positive and powerful recognition in the marketplace, so we created a logo that both commands attention and reflects our core corporate values," said Mukesh "Mike" Patel, chairman of Atlanta-based Budgetel Franchise System.

Those values are the foundation for Budgetel's franchise agreement, which is the most innovative and franchise-friendly one in the industry. Its unique features include an annual termination opportunity, no liquidated damages, flexible fee structure, and an unprecedented voice for franchisees in brand development.

"Budgetel provides a fresh, clean, contemporary option in the upper economy niche, for both franchisees and for the traveling public - and that's what our new logo symbolizes," added Patel, who has been a hotel owner with his brother R.C. Patel since 1981.

Mike Patel served as chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) in 1998 - 99, when he introduced the pioneering "12 points of fair franchising." Today, those guidelines form the cornerstone of Budgetel's operating philosophy.

The brand's new logo features the word "Budgetel" used either in green or in white on a green background, which is enhanced with a rising sun of red, yellow, and orange.

"Green is a color which conveys many of the qualities associated with a comfortable hotel stay - nature, harmony, safety, and rejuvenating power - while red communicates leadership and strength, yellow evokes happiness, and orange combines the energy of red with the happiness of yellow," explained Patel.

"Brought together in our new logo, these colors are highly visible to travelers - and they send out the message of a dynamic, welcoming environment that you can proudly call your home on the road."

The first Budgetel property will open by early October in Bossier City, Louisiana, a suburb of Shreveport. It will feature 114 units that have been completely renovated from a former Shoney's Inn by owners Ashok "Andy" Desai, his wife Rita, plus partners Denish Patel and Mickey Bhakata.

"We selected the Budgetel brand because it's been created by hotel owners, for hotel owners - the management wants to work with franchisees as partners on key economic issues such as royalty fees and liquidated damages," said Andy Desai, who has been a hotel owner for 16 years and currently operates four properties.

"In the future, I would certainly consider opening other Budgetel properties."

Added Randy Evanchyk, Budgetel's executive vice president of franchise development, "Andy, Rita, Denish, and Mickey are the type of operators we want for Budgetel - they share our commitment to meeting and exceeding guest expectations."

By year-end, Budgetel expects to have 10 properties open, with an additional 45 hotels scheduled to be added during 2008.

The Budgetel brand was popular in the 1980's and 90's, then went dark in 1998 when all hotels were reflagged by LaQuinta Management as Baymont Inns & Suites. In March of this year, an investment group led by Mike and R.C. Patel bought the Budgetel brand from The Blackstone Group.

"While giving a respectful nod to Budgetel's rich history, we are firmly focused on the brand's exciting new future - as symbolized by our enhanced logo and enriched operating strategy," said Mike Patel.