<P> Country Inns & Suites by Carlson (CI&S) is a hotel brand owned by the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which accommodates both business and leisure travelers . CI&S hotels are mainly independently owned and operated, and franchised under licensing agreements with the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group . </P> <P> The brand operates more than 1,370 hotels worldwide . </P> <P> CI&S opened its first hotel in Burnsville, Minnesota in 1987 . The first one was opened next to a kitchen named Country Kitchen (1964--present), which spun off into its own company, CI&S . </P> <P> On August 25, 1989, its headquarters was in Chanhassen, Minnesota, next to Country Kitchen, as a domestic restaurant . </P>

Where was the first country inn and suites opened