How long does the independent third-party have to complete the investigation regarding a Best Western Respondent's Article IV qualifications?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an independent third-party is engaged to investigate a Respondent's Article IV qualifications. The document states that all reasonable efforts should be made by the independent third-party to complete this investigation within 30 days of engagement.

This means that once the independent third-party is officially hired to conduct the inquiry, they are expected to conclude their investigation and compile their findings within approximately one month. This timeline ensures a relatively prompt resolution to any questions surrounding a Respondent's qualifications under Article IV.

For a prospective Best Western franchisee, this indicates that challenges to a director's qualifications are handled with a degree of urgency. The 30-day window suggests that Best Western aims to resolve such issues efficiently to minimize disruption to the organization's operations. Franchisees should be aware of this process, as it could impact the composition of the Board of Directors and, consequently, the direction of the Best Western brand.