Under what circumstances might a Best Western Director be presumed not qualified to serve?

According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Director or candidate for Director may be presumed not qualified to serve under specific circumstances related to documentation and criminal history. Failure to provide the required documentation for equity interest ownership or residence results in a presumption of not being qualified. Acceptable documentation for equity interest includes recorded property titles, corporate filings showing ownership interest, relevant tax filings, and agreements or trust documents. For residence, documentation includes proof of a permanent personal dwelling in the District, a valid driver's license or identification reflecting this dwelling, and a valid state or province tax return from the previous year.

Additionally, a conviction of a felony, a crime involving fraud or falsehoods, or a crime related to hotel operations or the lodging industry also leads to a presumption that the candidate or Director is not qualified. The existence of any such criminal record, established through public records like court records, triggers this presumption.

These presumptions place the burden on the candidate or Director to provide evidence demonstrating their qualifications. The General Counsel may request any documents and information to verify the annual certification of continued qualification, and Directors must comply with these requests, including executing necessary documents for obtaining relevant information. This process ensures that Directors meet the established criteria for serving and maintaining their position.