Red Roof Inn Looking to Upgrade

(MoneyWatch)  I read a blog post about how Red Roof Inns are going all chi-chi la-la and trying to upgrade their image. (I guess the one-cent rooms were a little premature.) The new style, dubbed "NextGen," is debuting in Beaumont, Texas. The economy chain is also making a pretty sweet deal for franchisees of the new brand, including a $50,000 credit, no royalties and reduced marketing and reservation fees for the first seven years.

While I commend Red Roof Inn and any other budget motel upgrading or remodeling (the average nightly rate is $59) one of the main worries for people staying at budget motels is security. How safe is the property?

A quick search brings up several Red Roof Inn crime scenes in the last 10 days, one in Sharonville, Ohio, in El Paso, Texas, Greensboro, N.C. and also Louisville, Ky. Whether it's a coincidence or proximity to a major highway or area of town, any new franchisee will have to take security precautions to avoid any lawsuit -- as well as attract visitors. Because as cute as it may be, if guests can't use the parking lot at night or employees could be robbed at gunpoint, any hotel owner is dealing with a liability nightmare.

Photo of NextGen remodel courtesy of Red Roof Inn