A Lawrence hotel is checking out of its Ramada Inn franchise.

Lawrence-based Hiral Corp. is switching its hotel at 2222 W. Sixth St. into an Econo Lodge. The $200,000 conversion project – including new bathroom tile, sinks and other fixtures – was expected to be finished by the end of April.

The 110-room hotel opened in 1972 as a Ramada Inn and has flown the franchise tag for all but a few years during the mid-1990s, when it was a University Inn.

Nick Bhakta, president of Hiral Corp., said the switch should help draw more business. He expects the hotel’s average daily occupancy to be 50 to 55 percent, up from the 30 to 38 percent that it has been drawing.

The switch comes after a number of other Lawrence hotels recently have changed franchises, including Days Inn to Best Western; TraveLodge to Quality Inn; and Super 8 Motel to Golden Rule Motel. Lawrence Hotel became a Baymont Inn & Suites back in 2002.

“Maybe there’s not enough business in town,” said Bhakta, who also owns Bismarck Inn in North Lawrence and a USA Inn in Hastings, Neb.