factual

Does Baymont Inn Suites offer financing arrangements to franchisees?

Baymont_Inn_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

heir spouses must also sign the note.

ITEM 10. FINANCING

Except as specified in this Item 10, we do not offer or provide any financing arrangements for Baymont franchisees, either directly or indirectly.

Initial Fee Deferral. We may defer payment of the Initial Fee, if business circumstances warrant, in our sole discretion. The deferral is usually for a short term such as 90 days, or until the Facility opens as a Chain Facility, whichever occurs first. If deferred, you must pay the Initial Fee in one or more installments without the accrual of interest unless you do not pay the Initial Fee within ten days after it is due. The number of payments may vary based on business circumstances, but generally requires up to three equal installments over a 90-day period. We do not require any security for the Initial Fee Note. The Initial Fee Note may be prepaid at any time without penalty. You and your owners must sign the Initial Fee Note in substantially the form shown in Exhibit C-1. If your owners are residents of community property or certain other states, their spouses must also co-sign the Initial Fee Note. Under the Initial Fee Note, you and your guarantors, or any co-makers of the Initial Fee Note, waive traditional defenses. These defenses include presentment, demand, notice of demand, protest, notice of non-payment, notice of protest, notice of dishonor and diligence in collection. We reserve the right to modify the terms of the Initial Fee Note and/or grant extensions, novations, releases or compromises to you or any co-maker without the consent of, or affecting the liability of, any other party to the

Initial Fee Note. The Initial Fee Note is not subject to setoff, offset or recoupment. If the Franchise Agreement terminates for any reason or you transfer the Facility, we may demand that you immediately pay the Initial Fee Note in full. If you fail to make any required installment payment on time, we may demand that you immediately pay the Initial Fee Note in full. If you do not pay the Initial Fee Note within 10 days after it is due, the Initial Fee Note will bear simple interest at the rate of the lesser of 18% per annum (1.5% per month) or the highest rate allowed by law. Default under the Initial Fee Note will constitute a default under the Franchise Agreement. If the Initial Fee Note is collected by or through an attorney, we will be entitled to collect reasonable attorney's fees and all costs of collection.

Development Incentive Financing. We may offer certain "Development Incentives" for new construction and conversion Chain Facilities. The incentives are based on various factors and are determined in our sole discretion. These factors may include the number of rooms and location of the proposed Facility, market overview, surrounding hotels, demand drivers, and a feasibility study. The Development Incentive is a loan that is not subject to repayment unless the franchise terminates before the end of the term of the Franchise Agreement for the Facility or a Transfer occurs. The Development Incentive is typically funded shortly after the Facility's Opening Date, Subsequently, at each anniversary of the Facility's Opening Date, 1/20th of the original amount of the Development Incentive is forgiven without payment (based on the Term of the Franchise Agreement) such that the Development Incentive Note is fully forgiven at the end of the Term. If the franchise terminates or is transferred before the expiration of the Term, you must repay the balance of the Development Incentive. The Development Incentive Note bears no interest except in the case of default, in which case the interest rate will be 18% per annum (1.5% per month) or the highest rate allowed by law. If you must repay the balance of the Development Incentive and fail to make any required payment on time, we may demand that you immediately pay the Development Incentive in full. Default under the Development Incentive Note will constitute a default under the Franchise Agreement. We do not typically require any additional security for the Development Incentive Note, but reserve the right to do so in certain circumstances depending on the amount of the Development Incentive and the creditworthiness of you and your principals. The Development Incentive Note may be prepaid at any time without penalty. If the Development Incentive Note is collected by or through an attorney, we will be entitled to collect reasonable attorney's fees and all costs of collection.

To receive the Development Incentive, you and your principals, as co-makers, must sign a Development Incentive Note, which will specify the amount of the incentive, in the form attached to Exhibit C-1 when you sign and deliver to us the Franchise Agreement. If you and/or your principals are residents of community property or certain other states, your and /or their spouses must also co-sign the Development Incentive Note. In addition, you must sign an addendum to the Franchise Agreement, agreeing to make all payments due under the Franchise Agreement and ancillary agreements through electronic funds transfers through the ACH (automated clearing house) system. You must provide us with a current balance sheet, loan documents and other information we request detailing the total cost of the Facility, the amount being financed, and your equity investment in the Facility. If we offer you a Development Incentive, you may not be eligible for any reduction in Initial or Recurring Fees (see Items 5, 6 and 15). The Development Incentive program may be modified, limited, extended, or terminated at any time without advance notice or amendment of this Franchise Disclosure Document.

The Development Incentive will be disbursed after (i) you have passed a final credit review with no material adverse changes in your business, legal, litigation, bankruptcy status or finances, or of your guarantors or the Facility since preliminary approval, (ii) the Facility officially opens with our consent, (iii) you have completed all required pre-opening improvements specified in the Franchise Agreement; (iv) you have paid the Initial Fee; (v) you are in good standing under the Franchise Agreement and all ancillary agreements; and (vi) you have completed any other pre-requisites for disbursement that you and we agree to in the Franchise Agreement.

Source: Item 10 — FINANCING (FDD pages 59–61)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Baymont Inn Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while they generally do not offer direct or indirect financing arrangements to franchisees, there are exceptions. Baymont Inn Suites may defer payment of the initial fee, typically for a short term like 90 days or until the facility opens as a chain facility. If the initial fee is deferred and not paid within ten days of the due date, it will accrue interest. The initial fee may be paid in up to three equal installments over 90 days, and no security is required for the initial fee note.

Baymont Inn Suites may also offer "Development Incentives" for new construction and conversion chain facilities, with the specific incentives determined at their sole discretion based on factors such as the number of rooms, location, market overview, surrounding hotels, demand drivers, and a feasibility study. The Development Incentive is structured as a loan that is forgiven over the term of the Franchise Agreement, with 1/20th of the original amount forgiven each year after the facility's opening date. If the franchise terminates or is transferred before the end of the term, the franchisee must repay the remaining balance. The Development Incentive Note bears no interest except in the case of default, where the interest rate will be 18% per annum (1.5% per month) or the highest rate allowed by law.

Baymont Inn Suites also has programs aimed at specific demographics. The "Women Own the Room" (WOTR) Development Incentive provides approved women-owned franchisees a Development Incentive at a target amount of $2,500 per guest room, not exceeding 50% of the franchisee's equity investment. The "Black Owners & Lodging Developers" (BOLD) Support program offers customized support to Black entrepreneurs, potentially including a Development Incentive. To qualify for either program, a majority of the legal and beneficial ownership interests must be held by women or Black entrepreneurs, respectively, with Baymont Inn Suites retaining sole discretion in determining eligibility.

Prospective franchisees should be aware that these incentives and deferrals are not guaranteed and are subject to Baymont Inn Suites's discretion and specific conditions. Franchisees may also request a Lender Notification Agreement, but Baymont Inn Suites is not obligated to enter into any agreement with any lender the franchisee selects. These financing options can significantly impact the initial investment and ongoing financial obligations of a Baymont Inn Suites franchise.

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.