What is the role of the Best Western Board of Directors in defining the standards for System Hotels?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
This Disclosure Document offers Memberships and the right to construct, or convert an existing hotel to, a System Hotel that utilizes a hotel system consisting of the elements, standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies that we periodically designate to identify System Hotels (the "System") and the "Best Western" name and those Best Western trademarks, service marks, domain names, and other identifying marks, words, letters, designs, names, or symbols as set forth from time to time in our confidential North America Quality Assurance Manual and Rules & Regulations (the "Manuals") (collectively, the "Best Western Identifying Marks"). Members operating System Hotels operate according to the Membership Agreement (Exhibit C), our Membership Fees (Exhibit J-3), our Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws (Exhibit J-1), our Members' Rules and Regulations (Exhibit J-2), the Application for Membership (Exhibit I), guidelines, standards, resolutions and policies adopted by our Board of Directors (the "Board") from time to time (including brand identity, quality assurance, customer care, new construction, refurbishment and design manuals and policies) and other documents defining terms or rights of Memberships (collectively, the "Regulatory Documents").
Source: Item 3 — identifies certain state actions alleging that the Memberships we granted were in fact franchises. We neither admit nor deny these allegations. We do not provide products or services to our Members. (FDD pages 8–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Board of Directors plays a significant role in defining the standards for System Hotels. The standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies that identify System Hotels are periodically designated by Best Western. These standards are documented in confidential manuals and other regulatory documents.
The Best Western Board of Directors adopts guidelines, standards, resolutions, and policies that cover various aspects of the System Hotels. These include brand identity, quality assurance, customer care, new construction, refurbishment, and design. These guidelines and policies, along with other documents, define the terms and rights of Memberships within the Best Western system.
In essence, the Board of Directors is responsible for setting and maintaining the standards that all Best Western System Hotels must adhere to. This ensures consistency and quality across all properties operating under the Best Western brand. Prospective franchisees should familiarize themselves with these standards and policies to understand the expectations and requirements for operating a Best Western hotel.