What is the Evaluation Fee required by Best Western, in USD, and when is it applicable?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Best Western requires payment of a $4,000 non-refundable Application evaluation fee "Evaluation Fee") in order to process the Application.
The Best Western Board of Directors ("Board") will not consider the Application until such time as Best Western has received the required affiliation fee ("Affiliation Fee"), which will be held by Best Western as a good-faith deposit until such time and in such manner as further described in this Application.
All Evaluation, Impact Study and Affiliation Fees (collectively, "Fees") are payable in U.S. funds or Canadian funds based on the monthly exchange rate.
The non-refundable Evaluation Fee covers the administrative costs associated with processing the Application.
Payment of any fee or submission of this Application does not give any Applicant any right to affiliation with Best Western.
The Board may deny an Application for any or for no reason.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an applicant is required to pay a $4,000 non-refundable Evaluation Fee to have their application processed. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with processing the application. The Evaluation Fee is payable in U.S. funds or Canadian funds based on the monthly exchange rate.
Best Western's Board of Directors will not consider the application until Best Western receives the required affiliation fee. Payment of the Evaluation Fee does not guarantee affiliation with Best Western, as the Board may deny an application for any reason.
This Evaluation Fee is standard practice in the franchise industry, as it helps franchisors offset the costs of reviewing applications and assessing potential franchisees. Prospective Best Western franchisees should be aware that this fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether their application is approved.