Cecil Burke Day (December 10, 1934 – December 15, 1978) was an American hotelier, known for founding the hotel chain Days Inn.

Cecil Burke Day
Born(1934-12-10)December 10, 1934[1]
DiedDecember 15, 1978(1978-12-15) (aged 44)

Biography

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Day studied at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, but withdrew prior to graduation to join the United States Marine Corps. After the Marine Corps, Day studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology; he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a degree in Industrial Management in 1958.

Day owned real estate in Atlanta, Georgia. He sold a duplex for $4,000,000 and used the funds to open the first Days Inn hotel, which was located on Tybee Island, Georgia. Day coined the phrase "budget-luxury" and expanded his hotel chain with great success building a large network of franchise hotels.

Day had five children and was Southern Baptist. He died of cancer in 1978.[2]

Foundation

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Cecil B. Day founded the Day Foundation which supported evangelical churches, organizations and Bible Colleges.[3]

Places named in his honor

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Images

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References

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  1. ^ "This Day in Georgia History - 10 dec". georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  2. ^ Thomas, Robert McG. Jr. (1978-12-19). "Cecil B. Day, at 44; Georgian Who Began Days Inn Motel Chain". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  3. ^ Darren E. Grem, The Blessings of Business: How Corporations Shaped Conservative Christianity, Oxford University Press, UK, 2016, p. 139
  4. ^ Perimeter Church dedicates new facility in honor of local entrepreneur. Retrieved 2010-Oct-12.]