TORONTO -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. announced that its Canadian subsidiary has acquired four Edmonton-area Thrifty Car Rental franchise operations, including the in-terminal location at Edmonton International Airport. DTAG Canada will now operate these locations as corporate stores.

DTAG Canada acquired the operations from the Fleming family, which over a period of 26 years built and expanded the business into a thriving airport operation and three local market stores.

"The Edmonton acquisition represents a major step in the DTAG Canada corporate strategy to own and operate the airport and principal city locations in the eight major car rental markets in Canada," said Yves Boyer, president of DTAG Canada. "With both brands operating corporately in Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, plus our Thrifty operation in Vancouver, the purchase of Edmonton was the next logical step."

Following the Edmonton deal, approximately 70% of DTAG Canada revenues will now flow through corporate locations.

"Operating the major airport and city locations as corporate stores enables Dollar Thrifty to achieve strong levels of consistency and quality of service," Boyer said. "This does not mean we are moving away from a franchise model. We will continue to franchise aggressively, and we believe that the strength of our corporate operation is a strong selling point for potential franchisees in smaller markets. As the system as a whole gets stronger, so does the position of current franchisees and the prospects for future members of the Dollar Thrifty family."

The former Thrifty Canada Ltd. purchased the master franchise rights to the Dollar brand in Canada in January of 2003, and the company has since enjoyed significant market share growth.

Currently, Dollar Thrifty ranks number five in the Canadian market, with airport market share growing at record levels.