What right does Bw Premier Collection grant to Hotel Owners regarding existing hotels?

According to the 2025 Bw Premier Collection FDD, the franchise opportunity involves the right to convert an existing hotel into either a Premier Hotel or a Signature Hotel. Premier Hotels are permitted to use the marks associated with "Best Western®," "BW Premier Collection®," and "Best Western Rewards®." Signature Hotels are allowed to use the marks associated with "Best Western®," "BW Signature Collection®," and "Best Western Rewards®." These hotels, once converted, are referred to as System Hotels and operate under a Distribution Agreement.

This conversion model allows existing hotel owners to affiliate with the Bw Premier Collection brand, leveraging its established recognition and reservation system. This can be particularly beneficial for independent hotels seeking to enhance their market presence and attract a broader customer base. However, the FDD also states that the specific timetable for commencing operations as a System Hotel depends on factors such as completing renovation work, implementing maintenance programs, achieving a passing BWI QA assessment, and complying with all branding requirements.

Notably, Bw Premier Collection does not require or provide any training prior to activating on their reservation system as a System Hotel, acknowledging that franchisees are already operating an existing hotel. However, the hotel owner must complete all renovations outlined in the Property Improvement Plan (PIP) before activation on BWI Reservation Channels, complete a deep-clean program, maintain a preventative maintenance program, and comply with all quality assurance processes and procedures, achieving a passing BWI QA assessment rating before activation and maintaining it for the duration of the agreement. If a hotel does not pass a QA assessment, it will be reassessed within 90 days and will be responsible for a QA reassessment fee.

Prospective franchisees should carefully review the Distribution Agreement and Property Improvement Plan to understand the full scope of obligations and costs associated with converting their existing hotel to a Bw Premier Collection branded property. Additionally, they should consider the potential impact of competition from other hotels within the Best Western system, as the FDD states that there is no mechanism for resolving conflicts that may arise between the franchisee's hotel and other Best Western-branded properties.