Does Best Western have the right to designate the reservation service that franchisees must use for outgoing reservations?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must participate in and use the required reservation service, including any additions, enhancements, supplements or variants we develop or adopt, and honor and give first priority on available rooms to all confirmed reservations referred to the Property through the required reservation service. The only reservation service or system you may use for outgoing reservations referred by or from the Property to other properties owned, licensed or franchised by us or one of our affiliates will be the reservation service we designate and require.
Source: Item 16 — Restrictions on What the Franchisee May Sell (FDD pages 87–88)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Best Western FDD, Best Western franchisees must use the reservation service that Best Western designates for outgoing reservations. Specifically, the franchisee can only use Best Western's designated reservation service when referring reservations from their property to other Best Western locations.
This requirement ensures brand consistency and quality control within the Best Western system. By mandating a specific reservation service for outgoing referrals, Best Western aims to maintain a unified experience for customers across all its properties. This can help to streamline the reservation process and ensure that customers receive accurate and consistent information about other Best Western locations.
For a prospective franchisee, this means they will not have the flexibility to choose their own reservation system for referring guests to other Best Western properties. They must adhere to Best Western's chosen system, which may have its own costs and operational procedures. It is important for franchisees to understand the features, functionality, and any associated fees of the required reservation service to effectively manage outgoing reservations and maintain compliance with Best Western's standards.