Last Updated on August 2, 2012 by DeanR
Ramada Franchise
Ramada is a franchise for a hotel chain. It was founded in 1954 and started franchising in 1990.
It was founded by Marion W. Isbell who was a restaurateur in Chicago, and other investors including Michael Robinson, Del Webb, Bill Helsing, Max Sherman, and Frank Lichtensein, and Robert Rosow. The first locatin was opened in Flagstaff, Arizona along U.S. Route 66. The first headquarters was in Phoenix, Arizona. The Ramada Inn Downtown was later on made to be their headquarters and their flagship property. Their name “Ramada” came from the Spanish word “rama” which means “branch” and an open air structure called “Ramadas”. Their earlier structures were usually colonial Williamsburg-style.
The logo features a bald innkeeper named “Uncle Ben”. He used to wear an apron but has been changed to a suit and tie but it was later on changed to a simple rectangular box that said “Ramada”. This chain of hotels consists of Ramada Limited, Ramada Inn, Ramada Inn and Suites, Ramada Suites, Ramada Hotel, Ramada Hotel and Suites, Ramada Hotel and Resort, Ramada Plaza, and Ramada Resorts. They now have 516 locations in the United States, 68 in Canada and 304 in other countries.
What amenities and services do they usually have at Ramada?
The amenities and services differ between each tier of Ramada chain of hotels. Some of the usual amenities include a fitness center, coffeemaker, expanded cable, free high speed internet, free continental breakfast, free on-site parking, free local phone calls, hairdryer, guest coin laundry, iron and ironing board, heated indoor pool, large work area, Jacuzzi suites, rollaway beds, wheelchair access room, and voice mail. Some locations have seasonal outdoor pools, lake view rooms, meeting rooms, and banquet rooms.
They also have breakfast selections, brunch buffet, luncheon selections, luncheon buffet, deli luncheon, dinner selections, dinner buffet, hors d’oeuvres and snacks, meeting breaks and snacks, and family reunion buffet. An example of their luncheon selections menu includes fresh fruit cup, soup, tossed salad, roast half chicken, gourmet boneless breast of chicken, Cajun or fried catfish fillet, roast sirloin of beef Au Jus, Salisbury steak, vegetarian delight, oven browned potatoes, rice pilaf, potatoes with parmesan cheese, long grain wild rice, sherbet, ice cream, and cheesecake. For hors d’oeuvres, they have Swedish meatballs, pizza puffs, miniature quiche Lorraine, breaded mozzarella sticks, baked stuffed mushroom caps, potato skins with cheese and bacon bits, and chicken or beef brochettes with teriyaki sauce.
Cost and requirements on running a Ramada franchise
Expect to be investing about $236,000 to $11,749,000. The cost of Ramada franchise fee is $36,000 with an on-going royalty fee of 4%. This is for a 15 to 20 year term agreement.
What is included in the franchise package?
There will be five days training at the headquarters, two days at your location, and one to three days training at a regional workshop. You will be receiving newsletters and a toll free phone number. You will be given access to the internet and to purchasing cooperatives. You will also be provided with assistance at the grand opening. Expect to be attending meetings and receiving occasional field evaluations. For marketing support, there will be ad slicks, co-op advertising, regional advertising, and national media.
Ramada Contact Details
You may reach them at:
Address: 1 Sylvan Way Parsippany, NJ 07054
Phone: (973)428-9700