What is the estimated cost-recovery fee for a design review requested by a Best Western Property?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
required to meet the Descriptor Program's Design Guidelines within three years of activation on the reservation system as Best Western
- Plus (e.g., if activated on February [1, 2011,](https://f
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Best Western property requesting a design review will be required to pay a cost-recovery fee. This fee is currently estimated to be $1,900. However, the FDD notes that this fee may increase in the future as costs rise.
This design review is required in certain situations, such as when a property falls below a AAA/CAA 2-Diamond rating or fails a AAA/CAA assessment. In these cases, the property must request a design review and complete any resulting Property Improvement Plan (PIP) within six months. A property may also request a design review to apply for the "Best Western Plus" or "Best Western Premier" descriptor.
For prospective franchisees, this means that they should budget for the possibility of incurring this $1,900 fee (or a higher amount if costs increase) if a design review is necessary. It is important to maintain the property to the standards required by Best Western and/or to plan ahead for the design review and PIP if aiming for a higher descriptor. Franchisees should be aware of the conditions that trigger a mandatory design review to avoid any unexpected costs or required improvements.