<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from U.S.
Franchise Systems, Inc. consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,339                  15,966                  15,890
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,177                   2,182                     268
<ALLOWANCES>                                       862                      74                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,652                  21,123                  20,299
<PP&E>                                           2,141                   3,396                   5,595
<DEPRECIATION>                                     316                     365                     140
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  70,712                  84,176                  36,351
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,304                   5,187                   8,155
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                  19,412
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON><F1>                                       491                     491                     420
<OTHER-SE>                                      56,347                  69,218                   3,778
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    70,712                  84,176                  36,351
<SALES>                                         19,696                  10,584                   1,867
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                19,696                  10,584                   1,867
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS><F3>                               33,382                  13,468                  10,814
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0                   1,905
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,686)                 (2,884)                 (8,947)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        62                       0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                 (2,884)                 (8,947)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (13,748)                 (2,884)                 (8,947)
<EPS-BASIC><F2>                                  (.69)                  (0.16)                  (0.71)
<EPS-DILUTED><F2>                                (.69)                  (0.16)                  (0.71)


</TABLE>