BUSINESS PERSONNEL: MICROTEL LOOKING AT MARKET AREA

US Franchise Systems Inc. has targeted Cape Girardeau as a new market area for a Microtel Inn.

USFS is franchiser for Microtel Inn, Microtel Suites and Microtel Inn & Suites.

Michael Leven, president and CEO of the company, said USFS was on an expansion plan, to have 1,000 Microtel facilities across the country by the year 2000.

The Cape Girardeau market, said Leven, is important to the company's expansion plans.

Microtel has 190 properties under development in 42 states, with 10 of them in Missouri, including facilities at Joplin, Springfield, Blue Springs, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Maryville, St. Joseph and Warrensburg.

"We have studied the demographics and competition in the market place," said Debbie Campbell, senior vice president of marketing. "As a result, we are confident Microtel is the right product for the Cape Girardeau market."

Hotels are doing very well there, said Campbell. "It's a good area for budget travelers in both the leisure and business travel markets."

USFS, based in Atlanta, was founded in August 1995 by Leven, who has 36 years of experience in the lodging industry, and Neal K. Aronson, a former principal of the New York investment firm of Odyssey Partners, L.P.

"We haven't set a target date for a Cape Girardeau operation," said Campbell, "but it will be soon."