What is the deadline for the independent third-party to complete the investigation regarding an alleged Code violation by a Best Western Director?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a Best Western Director is alleged to have violated the Code of Conduct, an independent third-party is engaged to investigate the matter. The FDD specifies that all reasonable efforts must be made by this independent third-party to complete their investigation within thirty (30) days of being engaged.

This 30-day timeframe is important because it sets an expectation for how quickly these investigations should proceed. It suggests that Best Western aims to resolve such issues in a timely manner. For a prospective franchisee, this indicates a commitment to addressing potential governance or ethical concerns efficiently.

Following the investigation, the independent third-party is required to produce a written report detailing their findings of fact and conclusions regarding whether the Director violated the Code. This report is then provided to the General Counsel, who must distribute it to the Board, including the Director in question, within three (3) business days of receiving it. This ensures transparency and allows all relevant parties to be informed of the investigation's outcome promptly.