In its Quest for Growth, Hotel Brand Key West Inns Retains Steven Belmonte/Hospitality Solutions

Hospitality Solutions LLC provides nationwide assistance to hotel owners for "Everything Franchise," including Franchise Negotiations (new franchise agreement negotiations, franchise termination/liquidated damage claim negotiations), Legal Services (mediation, expert witness and litigation support), Real Estate Services (licensed discount commercial real estate and lending broker), Insurance Services (custom discount insurance services), and Payroll Services (payroll, tax and human resources assistance).

"To be successful in franchise development you need to know how to spot a 'good thing' when you see it -- whether it's a quality property or a quality business partner/advisor," Jackson said. "The years of franchise success that Steve Belmonte had with Ramada, coupled with countless success stories regarding Hospitality Solutions and the positive impact it is having on the franchise community, was an indication that our shortest route to growing this quality, family-operated brand in 2011 and beyond is with Steve Belmonte advising the way.

"Steve's reputation and knowledge of the hospitality industry from an employee, owner, operator and franchisor viewpoint is unsurpassed, and his experience with Ramada -- growing the brand from 400 hotels to 1,100 hotels in under a decade -- is quite impressive," he said. "We value Steve's guidance and are looking forward to hearing his ideas for growth. Key West Inns is a proven, solid brand that is repeatedly listed among the 'Top 100' hotel brands. Awareness, however, is a challenge, but it brings with it a lot of opportunities."

Jackson said the Key West Inns franchising program is affordable and owner friendly, featuring a low, flat franchise fee, short-term contracts, and it's backed by Jackson Hospitality Services, one of the oldest family-owned-and-operated management companies in the industry. JHS was founded in 1974 by Chairman Cory Jackson Sr., and in 1989, he launched the Key West Inn brand which he turned over to sons Neal and Cory Jackson Jr.

Ripe for Franchise Expansion
"Key West Inns is really a nifty company," Belmonte said. "The brand is ripe for franchise expansion. In addition to having a themed hotel concept and a laid-back Key West island atmosphere, the franchise terms are what really turned my head. In today's market, flexible franchise terms are critical, and if owners are fortunate enough to find an organization that offers short-term agreements with low, flat monthly fees, it's an outstanding benefit. Add to that a highly-successful reservation system, third-party distribution, individual property Internet marketing support and an investment in next-generation technology, and you've found a true recipe for success."

Key West Inns is a strong and growing franchise organization with 24 properties across the Southeast. Operating under the umbrella of its parent company Jackson Hospitality Services, Key West Inns and Key West Inns & Suites are 45 to 90 room, limited-service properties offering clean, comfortable rooms to accommodate leisure and business travelers.

As a Strategic Advisor, Belmonte said he will take a look at the company and its operations, marketing, and support programs to determine how best to proceed with franchise development efforts. In addition, he will examine the company's property insurance, liability and health care programs to see if the franchise organization can benefit from a further partnership with Hospitality Solutions LLC, including its Real Estate service.

Since becoming the youngest general manager in the history of Holiday Inn at the age of 18 and later buying the hotel he started at, to holding the title of longest standing President of a national franchised hotel chain while at the helm of the Ramada hotel chain, Steven J. Belmonte brings new meaning to the phrase “from the mailroom to the Boardroom.” Prior to founding Hospitality Solutions in 2002, he served as President and CEO of the Ramada hotel chain for 11 years. Before joining Ramada, Belmonte was the President and CEO of Equity Hotel Corp., a hotel management firm that he co-founded in 1984 and nurtured to become one of the top ten management companies in the industry. He also has served as Chairman of the American Hotel Foundation (AHF), Vice Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), and former Chairman of the Honorary Board with Childreach (formerly Foster Parents Plan) and recipient of its prestigious Humanitas Award. In 2002, Belmonte was recipient of the prestigious 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by Roosevelt University in Chicago.

"The growth principle on which Key West Inns was founded does not involve growth for the growth sake," Belmonte said. "This brand is committed to quality and will remain quality driven. What that means is no substandard properties will be integrated into its system. That's not only refreshing to hear, but it's the new standard by which all franchise companies should be judged going forward."

According to Jackson, Key West Inns is planning to add 10 to 15 new franchised hotels to its portfolio each year.

"We anticipate a lot of our immediate growth to come via our relationship with Steve Belmonte and Hospitality Solutions," Jackson said. "With Steve in our corner, building awareness and gaining momentum, we know we are being pointed in the right direction for ongoing success and prosperity."

To contact Hospitality Solutions LLC or any of their four divisions, call (407) 654-4600 or email [email protected] or visit .

About Key West Inns Inc. | Key West Inns, Inc. is a hotel franchising company that offers the Key West Inn & Key West Inn & Suites brands. Established in 1989, the hotel chain now has locations in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. The Key West Inn franchise accepts new developing hotels as well as existing hotels looking for a new brand. The franchise program is affordable and flexible with focus on guest safety and hotel sales and marketing. Learn more about the Key West Inn brands of hotels at or email the company President, Neal Jackson, at [email protected].

About Hospitality Solutions LLC | Hospitality Solutions LLC provides nationwide assistance to Hotel, Restaurant and Quick-Serve Restaurant owners for "Everything Franchise." With offices in Windermere, Fla. and Orlando, Hospitality Solutions LLC is comprised of two divisions: Franchise Negotiations, providing new franchise agreement negotiations, franchise termination/liquidated damage claim negotiations; and Legal Services, providing mediation, expert witness and litigation support. Hospitality Solutions Real Estate LLC, Parsippany, N.J., operates as a licensed discount commercial real estate and lending broker; Hospitality Solutions Insurance LLC, Altamonte Springs, Fla., provides custom discount insurance services, including: property insurance, general liability, Workers' Compensation coverage, group health benefits, commercial automobile liability (including shuttle buses), liquor liability, employee benefits, wake-up call liability, excess liability and more; and Hospitality Solutions Payroll Services LLC, Altamonte Springs, Fla., provides payroll, tax and human resources services. Company Chairman, Founder and CEO Steven Belmonte, Windermere, Fla., previously served as former President and CEO of Ramada Hotels and as Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Assn.’s Foundation. For more information, call (407) 654-4600, email [email protected] or visit .