Rodeway Inn

Rodeway Inn is an economy-oriented hotel franchise brand operating in the United States and Canada. The chain began in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1962, when Michael Robinson and his son-in-law Joe Simmons opened a lodging business under the name Rodeway Inns of America. Its early expansion focused largely on the Mid-South and Southwestern United States, and by 1973 the system had grown to 136 inns. The brand’s development reflected the rise of branded roadside and highway lodging, where franchise affiliation could provide independent hotel owners with a recognizable name, operating support, and access to centralized marketing while preserving a relatively low-cost accommodation proposition. During its first decade, Rodeway combined franchised operations with some company-owned development. In the early 1970s, Prudential Life Insurance partnered with the chain to finance company-owned locations. This model did not last: in 1976, Rodeway stopped operating hotels directly and concentrated exclusively on franchising. The shift made the brand more dependent on franchise operators and positioned it as an asset-light lodging system rather than a vertically integrated hotel owner. Ownership changed several times as the brand moved through the hotel industry’s consolidation cycle. The Vantage Company of Dallas acquired Rodeway in 1971. The British Ladbroke Group purchased the brand in 1985 and sold it two years later to Ramada Inns. Ramada was subsequently acquired by Prime Motor Inns, which sold Rodeway to New Image Realty in 1990. Only about a month later, Choice Hotels International acquired New Image Realty, bringing Rodeway into the Choice portfolio alongside Econo Lodge and Friendship Inn. In 1997, Friendship Inn was absorbed into the Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge brands. The franchise’s commercial model also changed over time. From 1990 through 2005, franchise fees were calculated as a percentage of revenue. In 2005, under division president Kevin Bradt, Rodeway reorganized its fee structure and moved to an annual fee per room. The stated objective was to make the system more attractive to prospective franchisees. This change illustrates the importance of franchise economics to an economy hotel brand, where owner returns, property-level costs, and the ease of joining the system can be as important as consumer-facing brand differentiation. Rodeway Inn remains part of Choice Hotels International’s portfolio of franchised lodging brands. Its role is generally associated with basic, value-focused accommodation rather than full-service hospitality. As of December 31, 2024, the chain had 456 locations and approximately 25,458 rooms across North America. Individual properties can differ in facilities and presentation because the system is franchise-based, but the brand’s enduring proposition is practical lodging at an economy price point, particularly for travelers seeking accessible roadside or limited-service accommodation.

Rodeway Inn was established in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1962 by Michael Robinson and his son-in-law Joe Simmons. The original business operated under the name Rodeway Inns of America and developed during a period when automobile travel and highway commerce were supporting growth in roadside accommodation. The brand’s early footprint was concentrated in the Mid-South and Southwestern United States. By 1973, it had expanded to 136 inns. The company initially used more than one operating approach. In the early 1970s, Prudential Life Insurance worked with Rodeway Inns to finance company-owned properties. Rodeway later abandoned direct hotel operations, stopping company-operated hotel activity in 1976 and focusing exclusively on franchising. That transition made the brand an asset-light hotel system whose growth depended on recruiting and supporting independent property owners. Rodeway changed hands repeatedly. The Vantage Company of Dallas acquired the chain in 1971. The Ladbroke Group, a British company, bought the brand in 1985 and sold it to Ramada Inns two years later. After Ramada Inns was acquired by Prime Motor Inns, Prime sold Rodeway to New Image Realty in 1990. Choice Hotels International acquired New Image Realty approximately one month later, also acquiring the Rodeway brand together with Econo Lodge and Friendship Inn. In 1997, Friendship Inn properties and operations were absorbed into the Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge brands. Franchise economics became a notable strategic issue. Between 1990 and 2005, franchisees paid fees calculated as a percentage of revenue. In 2005, Rodeway, led by division president Kevin Bradt, changed to an annual fee assessed per room. The revision was intended to improve the chain’s appeal to franchisees and represented a shift toward a more predictable fee structure. Rodeway is now operated within the Choice Hotels International brand portfolio. It continues to serve the economy segment in the United States and Canada through franchised properties. The chain’s scale was reported at 456 locations and about 25,458 rooms in North America as of December 31, 2024. Because properties are independently franchised, amenities and physical characteristics may vary, but the common brand proposition remains affordable, basic hotel accommodation.

• 2024

  North American system size reported

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  The brand has 456 locations and approximately 25,458 rooms as of December 31, 2024.

• 2005

  Franchise fee structure changes

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  Rodeway changes from revenue-based franchise fees to an annual per-room fee.

• 1997

  Friendship Inn is absorbed into Choice economy brands

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  The Friendship Inn chain is absorbed into Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge.

• 1990

  Choice Hotels brings Rodeway into its portfolio

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  After Prime Motor Inns sells Rodeway to New Image Realty, Choice Hotels International acquires New Image Realty and the Rodeway brand.

• 1987

  Ramada Inns acquires Rodeway

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  Ladbroke sells the brand to Ramada Inns.

• 1985

  Ladbroke Group acquires the brand

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  The British Ladbroke Group purchases Rodeway.

• 1976

  Rodeway becomes exclusively franchised

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  The company stops operating hotels directly and focuses on franchising.

• 1973

  The system reaches 136 inns

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  Rodeway has expanded primarily across the Mid-South and Southwestern United States.

• 1971

  Acquisition by the Vantage Company

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  The Vantage Company of Dallas acquires Rodeway Inns.

• 1962

  Rodeway Inns of America is founded

  [1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  Michael Robinson and Joe Simmons establish the chain in Phoenix, Arizona.

Economy, value-focused, limited-service lodging for price-conscious travelers and independent hotel franchisees.

• Economy hotel accommodation · 1962

  Rodeway Inn hotel stays

  Rodeway Inn properties provide basic, value-oriented overnight accommodation in the economy hotel segment. The chain is associated with limited-service and roadside lodging, serving travelers who prioritize price and practical access over extensive resort or full-service amenities. Since properties are franchised, room layouts, facilities, and supplementary services can vary by location.

• Hotel franchising · 1976

  Rodeway Inn franchise

  The Rodeway Inn franchise allows independent hotel owners to operate under the brand within the Choice Hotels International system. The chain has focused exclusively on franchising since 1976. Its franchise model has included changes to fee structures, including the 2005 move from revenue-based fees to an annual fee calculated per room.

• 2005

  Replace revenue-based franchise feesStrategy

  Background

  From 1990 to 2005, franchise fees were structured as a percentage of hotel revenue.

  Action taken

  Under division president Kevin Bradt, Rodeway moved to an annual fee per room.

  Aftermath

  The stated purpose was to attract additional franchisees by offering a different and potentially more predictable fee structure.

  Source

• 1976

  End direct hotel operationsStrategy

  Background

  Rodeway had previously participated in company-owned hotel development, including properties financed with Prudential Life Insurance.

  Action taken

  The company stopped operating hotels directly and adopted an exclusively franchised operating model.

  Aftermath

  The change established the asset-light franchise structure that has characterized the brand since then.

  Source

• 2024

  Rodeway Inn reaches 456 North American locations[1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  As of December 31, 2024, the brand reported 456 locations and approximately 25,458 rooms across the United States and Canada.

• 2005

  Rodeway Inn shifts from revenue-based to per-room franchise fees[1]Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org

  Pricing

  Rodeway Inn reorganized its franchise fee structure under division president Kevin Bradt, replacing a revenue-percentage model with an annual fee per room in an effort to attract franchisees.

1. 1Rodeway Innen.wikipedia.org