What agreement is signed at the same time as the Rider for a Best Western franchise?

According to the 2025 Best Western Franchise Disclosure Document, the Rider to the Best Western Membership Agreement is signed at the same time as the Membership Agreement. This is explicitly stated in multiple state-specific riders included in the document. For example, the Rider for North Dakota, Maryland, and Washington each state that the Rider and the Membership Agreement are signed concurrently.

These riders are annexed to and form part of the Membership Agreement, indicating they are integral to the overall franchise agreement. The riders often address specific legal requirements or clarifications necessitated by state franchise laws. This ensures that the Best Western franchise agreement complies with the regulations of the state in which the member is a resident or where the property will be operated.

For a prospective Best Western franchisee, this means that the Membership Agreement and any applicable state-specific rider should be reviewed and signed together. The riders modify the original agreement to comply with local laws. Franchisees should pay close attention to these riders, as they contain important information about their rights and obligations within that specific state.