Last Updated on August 4, 2012 by DeanR
Vagabond Inn Franchise Information
Vagabond Inn is a franchise for a hotel. It was founded in 1958 and started franchising in 2000. The first Vagabond Inn was opened in California as Vagabond Motor Hotels.
It targets business travelers and those travelling for leisure but on a budget. They expanded and opened locations in the West Coast like in New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon. They became famous for being a comfortable lodging and affordable with a friendly service. They merged with Imperial Hotel Corp. in 1994 and this helped them expand even more in the West Coast. Their buildings are designed to look like an inviting Californian ranch. Their locations usually have about 25 to 200 guest rooms.
The merge was so successful that it became the start of the Vagabond Franchise System, Inc. With this newfound franchising system, it made it easier for them to expand faster. They partnered with America’s Best Franchising in 2009. This meant partnerships with their economy hotels such as Country Hearth Inns and Suites, Best Inns and Suites, Budgetell Inns and Suites and their luxury hotel, Three Palms Hotels and Resorts. Their slogan is “great value, friendly people” in which they deliver their Western hospitality. They now have 44 locations in the United States.
What are the amenities and services available at a Vagabond Inn?
They have free hot waffle continental breakfast, air conditioning, bus parking, multilingual staff, under 18 years old can stay free with parents, cable TV, free HBO, laptop rental, in-room coffee and tea maker, free incoming fax, data port telephone, hair dryer in all rooms, microwave oven in all rooms, iron and ironing board, free parking, free weekday newspaper, swimming pool, pet friendly room, in-room safes, refrigerator in all rooms, semi-truck parking, free local phone calls, wake up calls, voicemail, free WiFi internet access.
Other services includes business friendly rooms, baby cot, direct payment, connecting rooms, outgoing fax, onsite guest laundry facilities, rollaways. Their complimentary breakfast includes waffles, fruits, pastries, toast, tea, coffee, and a variety of juices. They also offer special discounts for seniors, AAA member discounts, group discount, and government, military, and CRC discounts.
Cost and requirements on running a Vagabond Inn franchise
Expect to be investing about $2,800,000 to $5,800,000. The cost of Vagabond Inn franchise fee is $20,000 with an on-going royalty fee of 2.4%. This is for a 20 year term agreement.
What is included in the franchise package?
There will be training at the headquarters and at your location. Training includes giving you access to the AH and LA (American Hotel and Lodging Association) Educational Institute’s “Unlimited Training Library” and “Spirit of Hospitality” training modules. It includes training from front office, sales, security, housekeeping, and maintenance. You may also expect to be having system-wide conferences with other owners and general managers. This happens once a year and last about one to two days. You will be receiving newsletters and a toll free phone number. You will be given access to the internet and to assistance at the grand opening. You may also expect to be receiving occasional field evaluations. For marketing support, there will be ad slicks.
Vagabond Inn Contact Details
You may reach them at:
Address: America’s Best Franchising, Inc. 50 Glenlake Parkway, Suite 350 Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (770) 393-2662