Econo Lodge
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| Company type | Economy motel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hotel franchising |
| Founded | 1969 (as Econo-Travel) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Founders |
|
Number of locations | 698 (as of December 31, 2024) |
Area served | U.S. and Canada[1] |
| Parent | Choice Hotels |
| Website | www |
Econo Lodge is an economy motel chain based in the United States and Canada. It is one of the larger franchises of Choice Hotels operating in the Americas.[2] Econo Lodge properties contain a minimum of 40 guest rooms and are often located near highways or highway access. All hotels provide a free breakfast. As of December 31, 2024[update], there are 698 Econo Lodge hotels open with 40,088 rooms.[3][4] There are Econo Lodge motels in every U.S. state and Canadian province.
History
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The company began in Norfolk, Virginia by developer Vernon Myers and his son, Vernon Jr. in 1969 as Econo-Travel and they were joined by Lloyd Tarbutton, a local businessman. Tarbutton took on the project, finding investors and money, as well as doing extensive market research, to see if the concept would work.[5] The chain's slogan in the early days was "Spend a night, not a fortune"[6] and its mascot was "Sandy", a girl in a short Scotch skirt and tam.[5]
The first hotel, still operating at 865 North Military Highway in Norfolk, was built for $275,000. Its daily rate for rooms was $7 single, $9 double, and $11 for four.[5] The original two-story plan for Econo Lodge had 48 two-bed rooms, designed for rapid cleaning and repair.[6]
In the 1980s, Econo Lodge adopted its current name, underwent a financial reorganization, and acquired the now-defunct Friendship Inn brand.[6] Lloyd Tarbutton sold the chain, which had 306 locations, in 1983 to real estate investor Ben Douglas for $836 million.[5][6] The company continued to change hands over the next few years, passing to New Image Realty, Inc in 1986 and finally to Choice Hotels International in 1990.[6] Econo Lodge is the more upscale of the group's economy brands; its sister brand, Rodeway Inn, usually has fewer amenities.
See also
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References
[edit]- ^ "10-Q for 1Q2025". www.sec.gov. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Trejos, Nancy (July 5, 2018). "The brands and rooms of Choice Hotels, by the numbers". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ "SEC: Choice Hotels International 10-K". www.sec.gov. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Hotel Franchise Opportunity, Development, Motel Franchises For Sale - Choice Hotels International - Accommodations, Inns, Lodgings, Suites". choicehotelsfranchise.com.
- ^ a b c d Pollard, Garland (February 12, 2009). "Birthplace of Budget". Issuu. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Jakle, John A.; Sculle, Keith A.; Rogers, Jefferson S. (1996). The Motel in America. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 170–171. ISBN 0-8018-5383-4.
External links
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