What training standards must a Best Western franchisee comply with for persons involved in the operation of the property?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must comply with Standards for the training of persons involved in the operation of the Property. You must at all times maintain a General Manager who has completed the initial and other training we require in the Manuals or otherwise. Before the Property becomes operational, your General Manager and other required employees are required to attend and successfully complete our required pre-opening training. If you hire a new or replacement General Manager in the future, you must pay us a fee for the new or replacement General Manager to attend the General Manager Professional Development Training and Leadership Training.
Personnel shall be properly trained to serve the guests in a professional manner. Completion of Best Western's online training is required for all Front Desk staff at each Property, within 90 days following the Front Desk staff person's effective hire date, with specific online training to be based on the online curriculum available at the time of hire. Each Member will be billed annually for training on a cost recovery basis. Effective December 31, 2009, each Property is required to have at least one staff person at the Property that has completed a Because We Care (formerly known as I Care) training program instructed by Best Western and has passed the certification exam. In the event of turnover of the only qualified staff person, another staff person must complete the Best Western training and pass the certification exam within 90 days. Additionally, by December 31, 2012, each Property will complete Because We Care Clean (formerly known as I CARE 2) training.
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, franchisees must adhere to specific training standards for all personnel involved in the property's operation. A key requirement is maintaining a General Manager who has completed the initial and ongoing training programs as outlined in Best Western's manuals or other directives. Before the property commences operations, the General Manager and other designated employees must attend and successfully complete the mandatory pre-opening training.
If a Best Western franchisee hires a new General Manager, they are obligated to pay a fee for the new manager to attend the General Manager Professional Development Training and Leadership Training. Additionally, all front desk staff must complete Best Western's online training within 90 days of their hire date, with the specific training based on the available online curriculum at the time of hiring.
Furthermore, each Best Western property must have at least one staff member certified in the Because We Care training program, instructed by Best Western, and who has passed the certification exam. If this certified staff member leaves, another staff member must complete the training and pass the certification exam within 90 days. Additionally, each property was required to complete Because We Care Clean training by December 31, 2012. These comprehensive training requirements ensure that Best Western properties maintain consistent service quality and operational standards.