Knights Inn
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1 January 1974 in Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Cardinal Industries, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada |
| Owner | Red Lion Hotels Corporation |
| Parent | Red Lion Hotels Corporation |
Knights Inn (legally known as Knights Franchise Systems, Inc.) represents a U.S.-based limited-service hotel brand owned by Red Lion Hotels Corporation, with its headquarters located in Denver, Colorado. Initially recognized for its exterior corridor layouts and medieval-themed architectural style, the chain has since transitioned to modernized property designs.
History
Founded in 1974 in Columbus, Ohio, Knights Inn was created by Columbus-based Cardinal Industries, Inc., a company specializing in prefabricated building manufacturing. The brand was distinguished by its extensive landscaping and Tudor-style design elements, utilizing exclusively single-story prefabricated structures delivered to each location.
The brand's portfolio grew to include Arborgate Inn, a budget-friendly concept featuring minimalist amenities and contemporary architecture, alongside a premium offering known as Knights Stop. In 1989, Knights Inn entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Two years later, in 1991, Hospitality Management Systems (HMS) purchased the franchise and management rights from Cardinal Industries. Although numerous properties transitioned to rival brands such as Motel 6, Travelodge, and Days Inn, HMS acquired additional sites and converted them into Knights Inn locations, moving away from the original architectural guidelines. HMS also enforced compliance with brand standards through legal means.
In 1995, ownership transferred to Cendant, who phased out the associated sister brands. By 2004, Cendant consolidated its Villager Inn brand into Knights Inn. Following Cendant’s spin-off of its hotel division as Wyndham Worldwide in 2006, Knights Inn operated approximately 225 properties throughout the United States and Canada by the year 2007.
On April 4, 2018, Wyndham Worldwide declared the sale of Knights Inn to Red Lion Hotels Corporation, with the deal finalized on May 14, 2018. After this acquisition, Knights Inn exited the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program on May 2, 2018, and subsequently integrated into Red Lion's Hello Rewards program.
See also
External links
- Hotel chains in the United States
- Hotels established in 1974
- Companies based in Morris County, New Jersey
- Motels in the United States
- Companies that have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989
- Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey
- 1974 establishments in Ohio
- Red Lion Hotels Corporation
- 2018 mergers and acquisitions
- American companies established in 1974