factual

Besides Shift4 hardware, does Americas Best Value Inn have any other specific hardware requirements?

Americas_Best_Value_Inn Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

from $50 to $300, with additional usage costs for 1-800 and/or long distance calls.

You will be required to purchase low voltage infrastructure to connect computer systems throughout your Hotel. The cost of such infrastructure is estimated to range from $0 to $110,000 for ABVI Hotels with 50 Guest Rooms.

Other than the hardware required to operate Shift4 or other systems described above, we currently do not have specific hardware requirements. However, in addition to specific system costs outlined above, ancillary equipment such as firewall, network switches, servers, desktop/laptop computers, printers, battery backup, patch cables, cable management, and data racks will likely be required to connect, secure, and operate your computer systems. We estimate that the initial costs to acquire and install this ancillary computer equipment will cost $2,000 to $15,000.

You must use our designated learning management system, which we may change in the future. You will not need to incur any installation costs for the learning management system, but you may be required to incur certain expenses in connection with its maintenance and support, which we estimate to be no more than $500 per month.

The computer systems collect and generate business information and data relating to ABVI Hotels' inventory of rooms and specific guest information, including guests' names, addresses, payment information, and other personal information. We will have independent access to all such information and data, including information and data from your PMS, and our access to such information and data is not contractually limited.

Training

Initial Training

We do not assist in the hiring of your employees, but we will train your Hotel Representative(s) virtually, at your Hotel, or at another location we designate, at our election. The initial brand training program covers the areas of operations, marketing, sales, loyalty, and brand

culture. We offer the training program on an as-needed basis throughout the year depending on our trainers' and attendees' availability.

Prior to opening your Hotel, or within 90 days of activating your Hotel in our system, your Hotel Representative(s) must complete our training program to our satisfaction. If at any time during the term of your Franchise Agreement your trained Hotel Representative is no longer employed by you, a new Hotel Representative will be required to attend and complete our training program to our satisfaction. If we determine that your Hotel Representative cannot complete initial training to our satisfaction, we may terminate the Franchise Agreement. If space permits, we may allow you to send additional attendee(s) to the initial brand training. Any individual attending our training program who has not signed the Franchise Agreement or Guaranty may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Source: Item 11 — **FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 44–54)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Americas Best Value Inn FDD, franchisees must purchase certain hardware to operate their hotel. Beyond the Shift4 credit card interface, which is required for both the PMS and CRS, Americas Best Value Inn does not specify particular hardware models. However, franchisees must acquire low voltage infrastructure to connect computer systems, with costs ranging from $0 to $110,000 for hotels with 50 guest rooms.

In addition to the low voltage infrastructure, franchisees will likely need ancillary equipment to connect, secure, and operate their computer systems. This includes items such as firewalls, network switches, servers, desktop/laptop computers, printers, battery backups, patch cables, cable management, and data racks. The initial costs for this ancillary computer equipment are estimated to be between $2,000 and $15,000.

Franchisees are also required to provide an in-room entertainment system and a RFID Key System. The in-room entertainment system implementation costs $9,000 plus $10 per guest room for basic content for hotels with more than 50 rooms, with monthly costs starting at $7.99 per room for a 40-channel lineup. The RFID Key System ranges from $400 to $700 per guest room. A phone system (PBX) is also required, with new construction hotels needing IP-based systems costing $15,000 to $40,000, while conversions can use existing Cat3 cabling systems costing $5,000 to $15,000.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.