What is the obligation of Baymont Inn Suites franchisees regarding participation in the Baymont Management Association?
Baymont_Inn_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition, all franchisees must participate in the Baymont advertising cooperative known as a Baymont Management Association, or "BAYMA." Franchisees pay dues under the same formula, which are payable annually in advance of the year in which the marketing and sales was done. We offer matching contributions from the Fund to support advertising, approved by us, for the BAYMA. We administer the activities of the BAYMA, on their behalf, including collecting dues and performing other bookkeeping functions; organizing BAYMA meetings; arranging for the creation of advertising copy; and creating other marketing and sales initiatives. We do not issue annual or periodic financial statements for the BAYMA, but we provide updates to the BAYMA membership on the marketing and sales initiatives planned for the following year and executed during the prior year. We typically hold a series of regional BAYMA meetings once or twice per year. The BAYMA operates under informal written guidelines, and we have the authority to form, change, dissolve, or merge the BAYMA at our discretion.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 61–74)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Baymont Inn Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, all franchisees are required to participate in the Baymont advertising cooperative, known as the Baymont Management Association, or "BAYMA". Franchisees are obligated to pay dues under a uniform formula, with payments made annually in advance of the year in which the marketing and sales activities take place. Baymont Inn Suites may offer matching contributions from its marketing fund to support advertising approved by them for the BAYMA.
Baymont Inn Suites handles the administration of the BAYMA's activities on behalf of the franchisees. This includes collecting dues, performing bookkeeping functions, organizing BAYMA meetings, arranging for the creation of advertising copy, and developing other marketing and sales initiatives. While Baymont Inn Suites does not issue annual or periodic financial statements for the BAYMA, they do provide updates to the BAYMA membership regarding planned and executed marketing and sales initiatives.
Baymont Inn Suites typically holds regional BAYMA meetings once or twice per year. The BAYMA operates under informal written guidelines, and Baymont Inn Suites retains the authority to form, change, dissolve, or merge the BAYMA at its discretion. This means that while franchisees are required to participate and pay dues, Baymont Inn Suites maintains control over the structure and activities of the BAYMA.