Under what conditions can a Best Western Member Property be placed on probation?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
dations, facilities, and procedures by a Best Western accredited assessor to determine compliance with these Rules and Regulations and the Regulatory Documents, and as deemed necessary by the Board. Every effort will be made to provide the Member with advance notification of a scheduled assessment, but it may not always be possible to do so. When possible, not less than 24 hours advance notice will be given. There will be no notice given where an unannounced assessment is intended.
500.16 The quality control assessment program is designed to assist the Member and Best Western Headquarters in identifying potential problems at the Property. The report measures the cleanliness and condition of the Property, the amenities and services furnished, and how well the Member complies with the established Rules and Regulations.
500.17 A perfect score in the assessment program is 1,000 points in the assessment report or the Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report. A score of less than 850 points, a point loss of more than 50 points in housekeeping, or a point loss of more than 100 points in maintenance may result in stricter and more frequent assessment requirements. A score of less than 800 points in an assessment report or the Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report will result in the Member Property being placed into probationary status. The Board may establish a fee for any assessment which is scheduled as a more frequent assessment under this rule. A Property, once placed into probationary status, will remain in the status until such time as the assessment report or the Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report score equals or is greater than 800 points or until cancellation of the Membership pursuant to paragraph 1100.6 of these Rules and Regulations. The Board may impose stricter assessment requirements on probationary properties.
Properties scoring less than 880 points on a Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report are required to pay for their next assessment, with such cost determined annually by the Board.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Member Property can be placed on probationary status if it scores less than 800 points on an assessment report or Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report. Additionally, a property will be placed on probation if it receives two consecutive assessment scores or Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report scores below 800 points.
Once a Best Western property is placed on probation, it will remain in that status until its assessment report or Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report score equals or exceeds 800 points. Probation will also end if the reason for the probation has been resolved, or if the Best Western Membership is canceled.
Best Western may impose stricter assessment requirements on properties that are on probation. Furthermore, if the probation results from failure to maintain the property to Best Western standards, the Board may assess a fee to cover the cost of the field staff assessment. Properties scoring less than 880 points on a Guest Rooms/Public Areas Condition Report are required to pay for their next assessment, with the cost determined annually by the Board.