What is the monthly HMSS Maintenance Fee for a Best Western property?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| BWI Two-Way Interface Maintenance Fee | $0 to $669 per month |
|---|---|
| HMSS Monthly Maintenance Fee | $130 per month, per Property |
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 66–77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to pay a monthly Hotel Managed Security Service (HMSS) Maintenance Fee. This fee is $130 per month, per property. This fee is payable to Best Western or its affiliate, AutoClerk.
The HMSS provides network segment patching for the Property Management System (PMS) and helps secure devices within the reservation system. This service is designed to protect the hotel environment from potential security threats. In addition to this monthly fee, Best Western estimates that franchisees will incur approximately $2,500 annually to maintain necessary upgrades to the computer system.
Prospective franchisees should consider the HMSS maintenance fee as a mandatory, ongoing expense. This fee contributes to the overall technology costs associated with operating a Best Western franchise. It is important to factor in both the monthly fee and the estimated annual upgrade costs when assessing the financial viability of the franchise. Franchisees should also budget for potential additional costs related to optional maintenance, updates, and support contracts for the computer system.