Just two years ago, Gina-Lynne Scharoun got a phone call from her former boss. He wanted her to be the president of the franchising company for his new brand. Jack DeBoer — founder of Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites and Candlewood Suites — was launching another concept, a hotel-apartment hybrid called Value Place. The company-owned property in Wichita was already thriving.

Scharoun said yes. And within a few short months, she'd already inked more franchise deals than she did in the first three years at Candlewood Suites. Today, the company has exceeded 500 franchise commitments — a significant development milestone reached in less than 24 months of actively selling the brand.

Scharoun quickly learned why franchisees were so passionate about their new investments. In fact, she is a franchisee herself — her first of seven Value Places is already open in Tulsa, Okla. And while this is her first investment as a franchisee, she is confident of its success.

“Jack has always been a visionary. He doesn't accept conventional ideas or approaches, which makes him a fantastic and profitable entrepreneur,” she says. “I really believe in Jack and in Value Place. It just seemed logical to become a franchisee myself.”

A new lodging concept: ‘Short-Term Residential Property’

While DeBoer is widely recognized in the hotel industry, he was also the nation's second largest apartment developer in the 1970s. He has combined both experiences to launch Value Place, his Short-Term Residential Property concept.

The brand is based on four guiding principles: Lower Cost, Cleaner, Safer and Simpler. Residents choose from three economy-priced, comfortable room options. Property operations are similar to those of apartment buildings. Each property requires as few as 4.0 to 4.5 full-time equivalent employees. And the team doesn't have to worry about reselling their property every night of the week because Value Place rents one week at a time!

Many residents are business owners, contractors and skilled laborers who need temporary lodging for job assignments. Others need short-term housing for personal reasons. Each Value Place is like a small neighborhood, where residents feel safe and respected. Employees strive to know and greet every resident by name.

Franchisees like Storm Nolan, vice president of development for Whitt Properties, like what they see.

“We were immediately impressed with the uniqueness of Value Place and its profitability potential,” says Nolan, who is building seven properties. The first two are open in Bentonville and Little Rock, Ark. “We wanted to get in on the ground floor of another successful Jack DeBoer project.”

Even DeBoer's banker is on-board. He has formed investment groups that have already acquired multiple franchisees. And Scharoun is meeting with potential franchisees at corporate headquarters in Wichita, Kan. virtually every day of the week.

Franchisees interested in learning more about Value Place (www.ValuePlace.com) can reach contact us at 316-630-5505 or franchise@ValuePlace.com.