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

Biography

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.

Foundation

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

Places named in his honor

Images