According to Best Western, what defines an "Affected Qualified Hotel"?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an "Affected Qualified Hotel" is defined as a Qualified Hotel whose Member Market Area includes the location of a Property covered by a Membership Application. This definition is important in the context of Best Western's membership application process, particularly concerning market area considerations.

In simpler terms, if someone applies to open a Best Western hotel in an area that already falls within the defined market area of an existing, qualified Best Western hotel, then that existing hotel is considered an "Affected Qualified Hotel." This gives the existing hotel certain rights and considerations during the application process of the new hotel.

Best Western's Bylaws grant existing Best Western members certain rights with respect to market area considerations. A new application for a property located within the member market area of an existing, qualified Best Western member will not be accepted unless the Voting Member responsible for each hotel with member market area rights advises the Board in writing that the Member has no objection to the approval of the Application.