Does Best Western require franchisees to adhere to standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies developed for System Hotels, and where are these standards documented?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
, we are not required to provide you with any assistance.**
Before you begin operating the Property, we (or our parent, affiliate, or designee) will:
- Issue to you or make available a copy of the Manuals. The Manuals are confidential. References to the Manuals include the "Standards", which include all standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies that have been and are in the future developed and compiled by us in our sole business judgment for use by System Hotels in connection with the design, construction, renovation, refurbishment, appearance, equipping, furnishing, supplying, opening, operating, maintaining, marketing, services, service levels, quality, and quality assurance of System Hotels, including the Property, and for Hotel advertising and accounting, whether in the Manual or in the Membership Agreement or other written communication. The Board may adopt and implement programs and requirements to (i) provide regular maintenance of System Hotels, (ii) maintain a fresh and high quality appearance of System Hotels, (iii) conform to design, appearance, or operating criteria for System Hotels, and (iv) refurbish and renovate System Hotels, to help ensure that each System Hotel offers the public fresh and high quality accommodations that are competitive with other lodging available to the public and are current with lodging industry trends. For purposes of Best Western Rule 500.21, such programs
are individually and collectively referred to as "Refurbishment Programs." Any Refurbishment Program adopted by the Board or Best Western Members is applicable to all Members, and shall include requirements for specific brands. Any Refurbishment Program adopted by the Board shall, prior to implementation, be submitted to the Members for their vote and approval, in accordance with the Bylaws, if (i) the cost of required item(s) is more than $150 per room, per Member Property if purchased through Best Western Supply (the "Expenditure Limitation"), or (ii) the Board should reasonably expect that most Member Properties will need to hire a "trade person" to install the item(s). With regard to any such System Hotel vote, an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast shall result in passage of the matter proposed, provided at least 33 1/3% of all System Hotels vote in favor of the proposal. The current table of contents of the Manuals is attached as Exhibit F. The Manuals contain 272 total pages.
-
- 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).
-
- Furnish you with a reservation service (Membership Agreement, Section G).
-
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 comply with the standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies developed for System Hotels. These standards are detailed in the Manuals, which Best Western issues or makes available to franchisees. The Manuals are confidential and include all standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies developed by Best Western for System Hotels. These standards cover various aspects such as design, construction, renovation, refurbishment, appearance, equipping, furnishing, supplying, opening, operating, maintaining, marketing, services, service levels, quality, and quality assurance of System Hotels, including advertising and accounting.
The Best Western Board may implement programs and requirements to ensure regular maintenance, a high-quality appearance, and adherence to design and operating criteria for System Hotels. These programs, known as "Refurbishment Programs," aim to maintain competitive and current accommodations. Any Refurbishment Program adopted by the Board is applicable to all Members, and shall include requirements for specific brands. Before implementation, any Refurbishment Program adopted by the Board must be submitted to the Members for their vote and approval if the cost of required items exceeds $150 per room, per Member Property if purchased through Best Western Supply, or if the Board expects that most Member Properties will need to hire a "trade person" to install the item(s).
Franchisees are also required to comply with standards regulating designated and approved suppliers of equipment, signs, fixtures, inventory, and supplies. Best Western may also offer purchase, lease, or other arrangements for exterior signs, operating equipment, operating supplies, and furnishings. Furthermore, Best Western administers a quality assurance program that includes periodic inspections and audits of the Property to ensure compliance with operating standards, conducted at least once every 12 months with at least 24 hours' notice.