History Referral chain

motel postcard displaying united motor courts badge

united motor courts, founded 1933 group of motel owners in southwestern us, published guidebook until 1950s; met standards advertised name on signs , motel postcards. splinter of group established quality courts united (1939, forty motels in eastern us) because of difficulties in removing existing properties large , inclusive united motor courts network when failed upgrade , modernize. best western motels (1947) founded similar referral chain of independent western motels.

other referral chains included superior courts united (1950, renamed superior motel in 1964, last membership renewals 1979) four-leaf clover logo ( travel superior courts united inc. , sure! ) graced on 500 motels (mostly on atlantic coast) in mid-1960s.

quality courts converted franchise operation in 1963, ending long-running cross-promotion in best western (a western referral chain) , quality courts (originally eastern referral chain) largely marketed together. brand still exists franchised quality inn, brand division of choice hotels.

friendship inns (founded 1961 salt lake city, became franchise chain in 1985) once enlisted many older, marginal properties; trademark sold low-end brand choice hotels. other 1950s , 1960s referral chains included emmons walker, congress inns, imperial 400 motels, master hosts, , courtesy courts. budget host (1976, 57 locations) , independent motels of america (1982) among last of dying breed.

by 1987, franchise chains controlled 64 percent of market , independent referral chains being converted franchises or disappearing.