What is the Best Western franchisee's obligation regarding construction or renovations of the System Hotel?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Review designs and/or plans for constructing/renovating and furnishing the System Hotel, and grant or deny approval, which may be conditioned on your architect or other certified professional certifying to us that the designs and/or plans comply with all laws related to accessibility/accommodations/facilities for those with disabilities. You may not start construction/renovations until you receive our approval. Once we have issued our approval, you may not make any changes to the designs and/or plans without our advance consent (Rules and Regulations 500.22).
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- Furnish you with a reservation service (Membership Agreement, Section G).
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- As discussed in Item 8, you are required to comply with the Standards and specifications as detailed in the Manual. Among other things, the Standards may regulate the designated and approved suppliers of equipment, signs, fixtures, inventory and supplies you are required to use. While we do not currently provide, deliver or install any of these items directly, we may do so in the future.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 66–77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Best Western FDD, franchisees must adhere to specific guidelines and obtain approval from Best Western regarding the construction or renovation of their System Hotel. Before starting any construction or renovations, franchisees are required to submit their designs and/or plans to Best Western for review. Best Western will then either approve or deny these plans, and approval may be conditional upon the franchisee's architect or a certified professional certifying that the designs comply with all applicable laws related to accessibility and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Franchisees cannot commence any construction or renovation work until they have received Best Western's approval.
Once Best Western has approved the designs and/or plans, franchisees are not allowed to make any changes without obtaining advance consent from Best Western. This ensures that all construction and renovation activities align with Best Western's standards and specifications, as detailed in their Manuals. The Manuals contain standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies developed by Best Western for System Hotels, covering design, construction, renovation, refurbishment, appearance, equipping, furnishing, supplying, opening, operating, maintaining, marketing, services, service levels, quality, and quality assurance.
Best Western may also implement Refurbishment Programs, which are applicable to all members and may include requirements for specific brands. These programs aim to maintain the quality and appearance of System Hotels, ensuring they remain competitive and current with industry trends. If a Refurbishment Program involves costs exceeding $150 per room or requires hiring a trade person for installation, it must be submitted to the members for a vote and approval. An affirmative vote from a majority of the votes cast, with at least 33 1/3% of all System Hotels voting in favor, is required for the proposal to pass. These measures ensure that franchisees maintain the standards expected of a Best Western branded hotel.