ATLANTA—The industry’s most comprehensive mandatory certification program of green practices by limited service hotels has been launched by America’s Best Franchising Inc. on behalf of its two brands—America’s Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns & Suites.
“Improved environmental performance makes both dollars and sense,” explained Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of Atlanta-based America’s Best Franchising Inc., which is paying for the entire certification program on behalf of its 98 America’s Best properties and 90 Country Hearth properties. “We’re requiring all our franchisees to implement simple practices which will generate savings of between $1 and $3 per night in energy-related operating expenses, while directly helping the environment plus appealing to the 78 percent of travelers who consider themselves environmentally-conscious.”
The environmental best practices being mandated by America’s Best at each property include a linen and towel reuse program, water-efficient toilets and showerheads, nontoxic cleaning chemicals, use of special night lights and light bulbs, and retrofit of lighting fixtures. Based on how extensively a property complies, it will be recognized as a “Green Suites® Certified Green Hotel” with a rating of between one to five leaves. Every property in the America’s Best Franchising system is required to score at least one leaf, with five leaves being the highest rating. The certification program is a customized program developed especially for America’s Best Franchising by Green Suites International, a leading supplier of environmental products and programs.
Business Responsibility Recognized
“Being environmentally responsible is part of being a responsible citizen, both as a company and as individuals,” Collins added. “That’s why we asked Green Suites to develop a program which is brand-specific and that reflects the everyday operational realities of our hotels.”
In addition to requirements for its franchisees, America’s Best has taken action at the corporate level by preparing a written environmental policy and by naming a committee which meets every month to review the company’s environmental performance against specific goals. Prior to launching the Green Suites certification program systemwide, America’s Best Franchising tested it at several properties and response was very favorable from franchisees, staff and guests, according to Collins. A typical comment came from Jill Compton, general manager of the Country Hearth Inn in Madison, Ind.
“Our guests and staff love us being eco-friendly,” Compton said. “It saves us money, energy and our environment. We love making a difference.”
“Guests feel good about using the products to help the environment, employees feel like they are contributing, and the hotel is saving money,” added Nancy Anderson, general manager of the Country Hearth Inn in Fitzgerald, Ga.
“Limited-service hotel properties like those operated by America’s Best and Country Hearth franchisees are already making a powerful positive impact on the environment,” explained Dan Bornholdt, president and founder of Green Suites International, which serves more than 3,000 hotel customers in 50 states and 40 countries from its headquarters in Upland, Calif., near Los Angeles. “Collectively, there are many privately-owned properties at which the owners have a strong personal motivation to produce results. They care and they can take action quickly to generate sizeable ecological benefits without a lot of corporate bureaucracy or hierarchy.”
