What is the non-refundable application evaluation fee required by Best Western to process a Membership Application?
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 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, a prospective member must pay a $4,000 non-refundable application evaluation fee to have their application processed. This fee covers the administrative costs that Best Western incurs while processing the application. Payment of this fee does not guarantee membership approval, as the Best Western Board of Directors has the right to deny any application for any reason.
In addition to the evaluation fee, Best Western also requires an affiliation fee, the amount of which is established by the Board. This affiliation fee is refundable under certain conditions, such as initial denial of the application by the Board or withdrawal of the application within six months for lodging facilities proposed for construction, prior to the start of construction. However, the evaluation fee remains non-refundable regardless of the application's outcome.
Furthermore, if an impact study is required, the applicant is responsible for the associated Impact Study Fee, which must be paid before the study is conducted. All fees, including the Evaluation Fee, Impact Study Fee, and Affiliation Fee, are payable in U.S. or Canadian funds based on the monthly exchange rate. These financial obligations highlight the importance of careful consideration before applying for a Best Western membership, as some fees are non-refundable even if the application is ultimately denied.