JACKSON, Miss. -- Sandy Miller, former chairman and CEO of Budget Group Inc., has become a new co-owner of U-Save Auto Rental, the company said.

Miller assumes the role of co-chairman and co-CEO of U-Save, a franchise-based car rental company with more than 800 locations nationwide.

"Sandy has extensive experience as an owner, operator and consolidator of car rental franchises," noted Tom McDonnell, with whom Miller now shares chairman and CEO responsibilities. "He knows the car rental industry inside and out and is an expert when it comes to franchising."

U-Save said it plans to accelerate the company's growth through franchising.

"Our goal is to be the largest franchised car rental company in the U.S.," Miller said. "With 280 U-Save franchisees and 800 locations, including the locations of U-Save's subsidiary ARRC, we are likely the largest franchised neighborhood car rental company already."

Miller added that the company plans to develop more markets across the U.S. by serving airports and expanding in the local market segment. U-Save currently serves airports in Tampa, Orlando, Sanford, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Myrtle Beach and Jackson, Miss., and has local market franchise locations in 42 states.

Miller, through his private equity firm Basin Street Partners, is also U-Save's largest franchisee and is converting his Florida-based Specialty Van Rentals business to the U-Save brand. Specialty Van Rentals is a regional rental company that primarily serves European travelers and tour operators through locations in Tampa, Orlando, Sanford, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.