What agreement must a Best Western franchisee enter into to license the PMS from AutoClerk?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In order to license the PMS from AutoClerk, you will be required to enter into a Software as a Service Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit K. You are also currently required to purchase Lodging Link, a product offered by Comtrol Corporation that provides connectivity and integration of the PMS into other guest and hotel service systems (e.g. Call Accounting, PBX, in-room entertainment, Key Card, etc.). We are the only approved supplier and licenser of the BWI Two-Way connect software, which connects your PMS software system to our hotel software system. We are also the only approved supplier of distribution system photographs that must be taken of the Property and certain other distribution services disclosed in Item 6. We, AutoClerk and Comtrol Corporation are the only approved suppliers of certain PMS-related installation, maintenance and licensing, and you will be required to make payments to us/AutoClerk for those services.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 61–64)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is required to enter into a Software as a Service Agreement to license the PMS (Property Management System) from AutoClerk. The specific form of this agreement is attached as Exhibit K to the FDD.
In addition to the AutoClerk PMS, Best Western franchisees are also required to purchase Lodging Link from Comtrol Corporation. Lodging Link facilitates the connectivity and integration of the PMS with other guest and hotel service systems. Best Western is the only approved supplier and licenser of the BWI Two-Way connect software, which connects the franchisee's PMS software system to Best Western's hotel software system.
Best Western, AutoClerk, and Comtrol Corporation are the only approved suppliers of certain PMS-related installation, maintenance, and licensing services. Franchisees are required to make payments to Best Western and/or AutoClerk for these services. This means a Best Western franchisee does not have the option to choose other vendors for these services.