What training must the General Manager for a Best Western property complete?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All Best Western General Managers shall be required to satisfy all Best Western General Manager Professional Development ("GMPD") Program requirements.
New General Managers, defined as the individual responsible for every day operations at the hotel, shall be required to complete an on-line examination and complete the appropriate level of GMPD training. The results of the on-line examination shall determine if the General Manager enrollee is required to participate in the Level 1 GMPD Training Program or the Level 2 GMPD Training Program.
The Level 1 GMPD Training Program shall require successful completion of:
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- A pre-requisite on-line course prior to attending the Best Western Level 1 GMPD Training Program;
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- A 5-day leadership training course; and
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- A 5-day orientation/operations course
The Level 2 GMPD Training Program shall require successful completion of a 5-day orientation/ operations course.
If a General Manager enrollee is required to successfully complete the Level 1 GMPD Training Program, the 5-day orientation/operations course must be successfully completed within ninety (90) days of being hired as a General Manager, and the 5-day leadership training course must be successfully completed within six (6) months of being hired as a General Manager.
If a General Manager enrollee is required to successfully complete the Level 2 GMPD Training Program, the 5-day orientation/operations course must be successfully completed within ninety (90) days of being hired as a General Manager.
Hotels shall be responsible for the costs associated with General Managers attending each 5-day course on a cost-recovery basis.
Continuing Education
All Best Western General Managers shall earn a minimum of 2 professional development points per year and 8 professional development points over a 3-year period. Points may be earned as follows:
One point for:
- Attending a full-day General Manager Professional Development continuing education training program;
- Attending the Annual Best Western Convention;
- Attending a Best Western Education & Training or Best Western corporate staff led full-day training program; or
Source: Item 15 — Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business (FDD page 87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, all Best Western General Managers must satisfy the Best Western General Manager Professional Development (GMPD) Program requirements. New General Managers, defined as the individual responsible for every day operations at the hotel, must complete an online examination to determine whether they need to participate in the Level 1 or Level 2 GMPD Training Program.
If the General Manager enrollee is required to complete the Level 1 GMPD Training Program, they must complete a pre-requisite online course, a 5-day leadership training course, and a 5-day orientation/operations course. The 5-day orientation/operations course must be completed within ninety (90) days of being hired, and the 5-day leadership training course must be completed within six (6) months of being hired. If the General Manager enrollee is required to complete the Level 2 GMPD Training Program, they must complete a 5-day orientation/operations course within ninety (90) days of being hired as a General Manager.
In addition to the initial training, all Best Western General Managers must earn a minimum of 2 professional development points per year and 8 professional development points over a 3-year period. Points can be earned by attending a full-day General Manager Professional Development continuing education training program, the Annual Best Western Convention, or a Best Western Education & Training or Best Western corporate staff led full-day training program. The hotels are responsible for the costs associated with General Managers attending each 5-day course on a cost-recovery basis.
Best Western also requires that each property maintain a full-time General Manager who is empowered, responsible, and accountable for the daily operations of the property. The General Manager must attend either the Annual Convention or a District Meeting each year. Furthermore, the franchisee must ensure the General Manager completes the initial and other training Best Western requires in its manuals or otherwise. Before the property opens, the General Manager and other required employees must attend and successfully complete the required pre-opening training. If a new or replacement General Manager is hired, the franchisee must pay a fee for them to attend the General Manager Professional Development Training and Leadership Training.