Country Hearth Inns ended 2004 with 70 properties open or under development and aims to add 30 more properties to the flag this year.

New and prospective franchises heard several new developments at the chain's recent convention:

• The brand's successful free gas program will be expanded to a “total package” program that will include free gas, amusement or food options to guests who stay three nights at any Country Hearth Inn.

• Upgrades to the Country Hearth central reservation system are planned to handle the significant increases in reservations delivered through the chain's CRS.

• Thirty Country Hearth Inns received Excellence in Quality Assurance Awards for their outstanding quality assurance scores achieved last year. The majority of the chain's properties are in the outstanding or very good quality assurance range. Other properties were recognized in a variety of categories, including franchisee of the year, developer of the year and best conversion/renovation.