When is the spouse of a Best Western Voting Member required to sign the agreement?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the spouse of a Voting Member must sign the agreement under specific circumstances. If the Voting Member resides in Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Quebec, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, or Puerto Rico, their spouse is required to sign the agreement.

This requirement likely stems from community property laws in these states and territories, where assets acquired during the marriage are jointly owned by both spouses. By requiring the spouse's signature, Best Western aims to ensure that both parties are aware of and bound by the terms of the agreement, especially concerning financial obligations and potential liabilities.

For a prospective Best Western franchisee, this means that if you reside in one of the listed states or territories, your spouse will need to be involved in the agreement process and sign the document. This underscores the importance of discussing the franchise opportunity and its implications with your spouse before moving forward. It also ensures that both parties are legally bound to the agreement's terms, which can have significant financial and operational consequences for the hotel.