Cuc Strikes Deal To Merge With Hfs

CUC International Inc., a company that specializes in telephone shopping services, plans to merge with Avis and Days Inn franchiser HFS Inc. in a $10.9 billion deal.

The combination, announced Tuesday, would produce a consumer services company with $4.3 billion in annual revenue and a collection of brand names ranging from Shoppers Advantage and Travelers Advantage to Century 21.

HFS Chairman and Chief Executive Harry R. Silverman said the proposed deal “will create tremendous new opportunities.”

The deal is expected to be completed sometime this fall.