For Atwell Suites franchisees, who provides the payment gateway services through the Next-Gen Payments Solution?
Atwell_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Hotel acknowledges that FreedomPay is the provider of the payment gateway services provided to Hotel through the Next-Gen Payments Solution. Hotel agrees to the following Third Party Terms required by FreedomPay:
1. WARRANTIES.
- 1.1.
Relationship of Hotel, IHG, and FreedomPay.
Hotel acknowledges that, although IHG will process the on-boarding of Hotel, administer payments related to the Next-Gen Payments Solution, and facilitate support for Hotel, FreedomPay is the provider of the payment gateway services.
Hotel will be accessing a single hosted environment configured for IHG, and Hotel does not have the right or ability to customize the hosted environment for its individual needs.
The payment of fees and requests for service, and other interaction with FreedomPay will be routed through IHG, acting as a facilitator.
Hotel will direct requests for service to IHG.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 99–486)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Atwell Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, FreedomPay is the provider of the payment gateway services for the Next-Gen Payments Solution. While IHG (Six Continents Hotels, Inc. d/b/a IHG Hotels & Resorts) handles the onboarding, payment administration, and support facilitation for the Next-Gen Payments Solution, the actual payment gateway services are provided by FreedomPay.
This means that while Atwell Suites franchisees interact with IHG for payment-related issues and support, the underlying technology facilitating the processing of card payments is managed by FreedomPay. The franchisee accesses a hosted environment configured specifically for IHG and cannot customize it for their individual needs. All payment-related interactions and service requests are routed through IHG, which acts as an intermediary between the franchisee and FreedomPay.
The Atwell Suites franchisee is responsible for ensuring they have the necessary hardware, software, and data connectivity to connect to the FreedomPay system. Compliance with FreedomPay's P2PE Instruction Manual (PIM) is mandatory for franchisees to benefit from the secure switching features. Failure to comply with the PIM may result in IHG taking corrective actions and charging the franchisee for any associated costs.
In summary, while IHG manages the overall Next-Gen Payments Solution, FreedomPay is the specific entity providing the payment gateway services. The franchisee must adhere to FreedomPay's terms and IHG's guidelines to ensure proper payment processing and security.