The story
Origins (1965–1969)
The Econo Travel concept was developed in the mid 1960s by Norfolk businessman Lloyd Tarbutton and builder Vernon Myers. Their prototype featured 48 rooms, a compact lobby, and a manager’s apartment, eliminating many amenities to reduce construction and operating costs. Early operational features included bed boxes to simplify housekeeping, centralized electrical panels, and strategically placed maid closets.
The first Econo Travel Motor Hotel opened in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1969 and quickly demonstrated strong profitability, leading to rapid franchising across the southeastern United States.
Expansion and Rebranding (1969–1982)
Franchising accelerated throughout the 1970s. The company acquired the rights to the name Econo Lodge in 1972, initially applying it to conversions of existing motels. By 1982, all Econo Travel properties had been rebranded as Econo Lodge.
Ownership Changes (1983–1990)
In 1983, the company was sold to investor Ben Douglas, who relocated headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina. After a period of financial instability, control passed to investor Paul Wallace, who restructured operations and restored profitability. Wallace later sold Econo Lodge to Choice Hotels International in 1990.
From Wikipedia’s article on Econo Lodge, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4