Pritzker family
The chain was founded in 1983 and was initially acquired in 1985 by the Pritzker family, owners of the Hyatt Hotel Chain. The brand grew from 10 hotels to 17 during the Pritzkers' ownership. In 1996 the Pritzkers signed an agreement with US Franchise Systems, Inc. granting all franchising rights for Hawthorn Suites to USFS. In early 1998 USFS purchased Hawthorn completely from the Pritzker family and continued to grow the brand at rapid pace, reaching over 100 hotels. In November 2000 Hawthorn Suites' parent company, US Franchise Systems, was purchased by business interests of the Pritzker family. On July 21, 2008, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts purchased US Franchise Systems, Inc., owner of the Microtel Inns and Hawthorn Suites brands for $150 million. US Franchise Systems had previously sold the America's Best Inn (formerly Best Inns) chain to the Country Hearth Inns chain to brothers Mike and R. C. Patel (since renamed America's Best Franchising Inc.) in 2005.