Days Inn
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1 January 1970 on Tybee Island, Georgia, United States |
| Founder | Cecil B. Day |
| Headquarters | Parsippany, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Hotels and lodging services |
| Owner | Wyndham Hotels and Resorts |
| Parent | Wyndham Hotels and Resorts |
| Website | www |
Days Inn is a hotel chain based in the United States. Established in 1970 by Cecil B. Day on Tybee Island, Georgia, the brand has since become a part of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. As of December 31, 2023, Days Inn manages 1,501 locations globally, offering a total of 114,216 rooms.
History
Prior to creating Days Inn, entrepreneur Cecil B. Day was involved in real estate development and operated fast food franchises in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1969, he sold his assets for $14 million, which was then the largest real estate deal in Georgia’s history. Day founded Days Inn in 1970 to make use of land he owned on Tybee Island. Although there were logistical hurdles and doubts about the island’s ability to attract tourists, the initial 60-room hotel quickly reached full occupancy, with room rates starting at $8.
The chain expanded rapidly; later that year, the second property opened in Forsyth, Georgia. Despite construction delays, all 120 rooms were occupied shortly after a soft launch. Early promotional efforts included providing guests with complimentary paperback Bibles. By 1972, Days Inn had begun franchising and grew to over 300 hotels across the United States, Mexico, and Canada within eight years.
During the 1980s, franchise owners Stanley S. Tollman and Monty D. Hundley acquired Days Inn of America through their Tollman-Hundley Hotel Group but declared bankruptcy in 1991 and sold the company to Hospitality Franchise Systems. Both Tollman and Hundley faced federal investigations related to undisclosed assets; Tollman fled to London before eventually agreeing to a plea bargain involving a $100 million settlement.
In August 2022, a mass shooting took place at a Days Inn in Phoenix, Arizona, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries before the assailant took his own life.
Concepts
Beginning with the second location in Forsyth, many Days Inns incorporated a restaurant and gift shop named Tasty World. Founder Day, who abstained from alcohol, chose not to offer alcoholic beverages at Tasty World, focusing instead on family-friendly service despite pressure from bankers who believed that including a bar would increase revenue. Numerous properties also featured gas stations selling unbranded fuel directly to guests. Reflecting Day’s strong Christian beliefs, chaplain services were provided at each motel.
Days Inn was among the first hotel chains to offer senior citizen discounts and strategically positioned its hotels near suburban and rural Interstate Highway exits rather than within urban centers, strengthening its presence in roadside lodging markets.
Brands
The Days Inn brand encompasses:[1]
- Days Inn and Days Inn & Suites – Hotels offering either full or limited services with rooms and suites.
- Days Hotel – Full-service hotels located primarily in busy urban areas.
- Days Suites – Properties consisting entirely of suites with full or limited services.
- Days Lodge – A former lodge brand that has been discontinued.
- Days Park – Facilities catering to recreational vehicles and motor homes.
- Daystop – A budget-oriented brand introduced in 1990 in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Days Inn in the United Kingdom
Within the UK, Days Inn primarily functions through licensing partnerships with leading motorway service providers. Welcome Break, under a license from the US parent company, initially launched a Days Inn hotel at each of its service station locations, although some of these properties have since been rebranded to Ramada. In addition to motorway sites, Welcome Break oversees other venues such as the Milton Keynes location. Additional licensees include Roadchef and Extra Services. Furthermore, Days Inn has conducted pilot projects with Moto Hospitality at Wetherby and Winchester, demonstrating collaborative efforts to broaden its footprint across the UK market.
See also
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