Buckhead America Corp., the Atlanta-based franchisor of Country Hearth Inns, purchased the America's Best Inns & Suites brand from U.S. Franchise Systems. To reflect the acquisition, the company changed its name to America's Best Franchising, Inc. Doug Collins remains as chairman and CEO of the new firm.

The America's Best Inns brand has 88 properties and 6,154 rooms in the U.S. and Canada. One hallmark of the flag is its environmentally conscious EverGreen rooms available at some properties. Country Hearth Inns has 75 properties open or under development in the U.S. and Canada, with 19 opening since January and six more set to open before the end of the year. Most locations are in the Midwest and Southeast.