What advance notice must a Best Western franchisee give before opening the Property, indicating compliance with the Membership Agreement terms?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You will give us at least 10 days advance notice that you have complied with all the terms and conditions of the Membership Agreement and the Property is ready to open. We will use reasonable efforts within 10 days after we receive your notice to visit the Property and to conduct inspections as we deem necessary to determine whether to authorize the opening of the Property, but we will not be liable for delays or loss occasioned by our inability to complete our inspection and to make this determination within the 10 day period. You will not open the Property unless and until you receive our written consent to do so.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 66–77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must provide at least 10 days advance notice to Best Western that they have met all the requirements of the Membership Agreement and that the property is ready to open. Best Western will then use reasonable efforts to visit the property within those 10 days to conduct any necessary inspections to determine whether to authorize the opening. However, Best Western is not liable for any delays if they cannot complete the inspection within the 10-day period.
It is important to note that the franchisee cannot open the property until they have received written consent from Best Western to do so. This ensures that the property meets Best Western's standards and requirements before it begins operating under the brand name.
This requirement is fairly standard in the franchise industry, as franchisors typically want to ensure that franchisees are fully compliant with all brand standards and operational requirements before opening to the public. This protects the brand's reputation and ensures a consistent customer experience across all locations. For a prospective Best Western franchisee, this means carefully planning the timeline for construction or renovation, training, and compliance with all branding requirements to ensure that the 10-day notice can be given with confidence that the property is truly ready to open.