What responsibility does a Best Western Voting Member acknowledge, consent to, and accept by executing the agreement?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
By executing this Agreement, Voting Member hereby acknowledges, consents, and accepts all responsibility associated with such appointment, including, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, personal liability to answer for the debts, liabilities, and obligations associated with the Membership, Member, and the Property. Voting Member agrees that it, he or she is to be jointly and severally liable to Best Western. Accordingly, Voting Member must personally execute this Agreement below and complete the form attached hereto and incorporated herein as Addendum A, entitled "Voting Member Information."
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Voting Member acknowledges, consents, and accepts all responsibility associated with their appointment by executing the agreement. This includes personal liability for the debts, liabilities, and obligations related to the Membership, the Member, and the Property. The Voting Member is jointly and severally liable to Best Western.
This means that the Voting Member is not only responsible for the actions of the business entity (e.g., the corporation or LLC that owns the hotel) but also personally liable for its financial obligations and other liabilities to Best Western. This is a significant commitment, as it puts the Voting Member's personal assets at risk if the Best Western property incurs debt or faces legal claims.
Best Western requires the Voting Member to personally execute the agreement and complete an additional form (Addendum A) providing their personal information. This underscores the importance of the Voting Member's role and their acceptance of personal responsibility. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider the implications of this personal liability before entering into a Best Western franchise agreement.