What are the minimum requirements for the complimentary breakfast buffet at a Best Western Member Property that does not have an on-site, full-service restaurant?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e event, e.g., sports teams, weddings, etc., only one (1) charge will be billed to the hotel.
500.36 The acceptance of pets of guests is recommended, subject to prevailing laws that may apply. Service animals shall be permitted in any area accessible by their handlers or owners.
500.37 Each Best Western Property shall be of soundproof construction, in a desirable location, have an attractive exterior and provide year-round heating and/or cooling.
500.38 Each Best Western Member Property shall have a restaurant on or within 500 feet of the premises, except when individual circumstances warrant a variance approved by the Board. Although a restaurant is located within 500 feet of the premises, it shall not qualify the Member Property under this rule if that restaurant is located at any other lodging establishment.
500.39 A. Best Western Member Properties which do not have on-site, full-service restaurants, shall be required to provide a complimentary (free of charge) breakfast buffet consisting of the following:
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- A breakfast buffet must include
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(a. through r.):
a. Choice of one sliced bread (can be wheat, white, rye bread, etc.) or English muffin, bagel, croissant, or biscuit.
- b. Choice of one sweet bread.
- c. Butter or margarine, and assorted jellies and jams (if bagels are offered, cream cheese must be provided).
- d. Choice of two dry cereals.
- e. Choice of one: oatmeal, grits, or Cream of Wheat.
- f. Guest-accessible refrigerated juice dispensing machine offering a choice of at least two juices from an approved distributor and manufacturer: one must be orange juice. (Not applicable to Best Western Premier product descriptor Properties.)
g. Choice of two fruits: one must be fresh.
h. Regular and decaffeinated coffee (premium quality coffee such as Maxwell House, Folgers, Douwe Egberts, or approved national or regional roaster or super premiums, such as Starbucks, Peet's Seattle's Best), and two choices of tea.
i. Two creamers (one dairy and one non-dairy).
j. Sugar and choice of two types of sugar substitute (saccharin based, e.g., Sweet 'N Low, aspartame-based, e.g., NutraSweet, and sucralose-based, e.g., Splenda, comply).
k. Choice of two milks: whole, two percent, and/or skim.
l. Salt and pepper.
m. Coffee 100% Columbian or Arabica (may use local vendor).
n. Approved yogurt machine (currently Perfect Parfait Machine), to include choice of one flavor (vanilla or strawberry).
o. One gluten-free cereal, offered upon request, with approved signage.
p. One dairy-free milk alternative, offered upon request, with approved signage.
q. A glass-front refrigerator placed on or under the breakfast bar.
r. May provide one regional offering.
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- That in addition to the Best Western breakfast buffet requirements of Rule 500.39 A. 1, the breakfast buffet for all Best Western Plus product descriptor Properties shall include:
a. Choice of one: waffles, pancakes, French toast or crepes, freshly prepared or prepackaged from a Best Western approved vendor.
b. Hot eggs and hot breakfast meat, or breakfast sandwich with egg and meat.
c. A minimum of one regional offering.
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- That in addition to the Best Western breakfast buffet requirements of Rule 500.39 A. 1, the breakfast buffet of all Best Western Premier product descriptor Properties shall include:
a. Choice of one: freshly prepared waffles, pancakes, French toast or crepes.
b. Hot eggs and hot breakfast meat.
c. Prepared non-instant oatmeal.
- d. Fresh fruit cereal toppings.
- e. Fresh squeezed orange juice (not from concentrate), no dispensers.
- B.
- e. Fresh squeezed orange juice (not from concentrate), no dispensers.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Best Western FDD, Best Western Member Properties without an on-site, full-service restaurant must provide a complimentary breakfast buffet that meets specific minimum requirements. This buffet must include a choice of sliced bread (such as wheat, white, or rye) or an English muffin, bagel, croissant, or biscuit, along with a choice of one sweet bread. It must also offer butter or margarine, assorted jellies and jams (with cream cheese provided if bagels are available), and a choice of two dry cereals. Additionally, the buffet must include a choice of oatmeal, grits, or Cream of Wheat.
The complimentary breakfast must also have a guest-accessible refrigerated juice dispensing machine with at least two juice options from an approved distributor and manufacturer, with orange juice being one of the choices (this requirement does not apply to Best Western Premier properties). The buffet should also include a choice of two fruits, with one being fresh, regular and decaffeinated coffee from approved brands, and two choices of tea. Two creamers (one dairy and one non-dairy), sugar, and a choice of two types of sugar substitute must be available.
Furthermore, the breakfast buffet needs to provide a choice of two milks (whole, two percent, and/or skim), salt and pepper, and 100% Columbian or Arabica coffee. An approved yogurt machine with a choice of one flavor (vanilla or strawberry) is required, along with one gluten-free cereal and one dairy-free milk alternative offered upon request with approved signage. A glass-front refrigerator must be placed on or under the breakfast bar, and the property may provide one regional offering. To qualify for a "Free Breakfast" designation, a property must offer, at a minimum, these requirements at no additional charge.
For properties aiming for a "Free Hot Breakfast" designation, they must offer the standard breakfast buffet and include one hot egg and one hot meat option. Properties not meeting the minimum standards for the breakfast buffet cannot advertise free breakfast in any publication. Best Western also requires properties to enroll with Best Western's food and beverage administrator and purchase meat, eggs, yogurt, and juice products from specific brands/manufacturers selected by Best Western and from one of two distributors. Each property must provide seating at a minimum rate of 20 percent of rooms, with a minimum of two tables and six chairs.