What additional costs might a Crowne Plaza hotel incur for onsite training?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
for Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts will be prorated based on the month that your Hotel opens. In the event additional onsite training is required at the hotel, additional costs may be incurred which currently range from $1,500- $6,000 depending on the scope of additional learning needs for the hotel.
Learning is categorized as "core", "value-add", and "specialist" learning based on a tiered approach to learner development, where each tier builds on the knowledge learned from the previous one. Learning categorized as "core" is included within the subscription model and includes critical learning designed to effectively onboard team members, support the operational needs of a hotel, and comply with brand standards to deliver a branded guest experience. "Value-add" and "specialist" learning, are designed to enhance and elevate hotel and individual performance and are available at the discretion of the hotel, at an additional charge. Any such additional charges are subject to change.
Your General Manager, Front Office Manager, Director of Sales, Executive Housekeeper, F&B colleagues, and Hotel Experience Champion (or their equivalent roles) must each complete initial certification training. All required core certification training is included in the annual subscription for IHG University. For in-person classes, you must pay for trainees' travel expenses or any training expenses
incurred from any optional or supplemental courses that your trainees attend. You may be required to purchase subsequent training materials.
Your General Manager and Hotel Experience Champion must each complete the Leading the Brand Training for New Hotels certification prior to the hotel opening. The cost for the training event is included in the annual subscription for IHG University. You may be required to purchase subsequent
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 27–31)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crowne Plaza's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may incur additional costs for onsite training. While the annual subscription fee of $5,500 for IHG University covers core training, additional onsite training may be required, with costs ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 depending on the scope of the learning needs.
Specifically, the IHG University learning program categorizes learning into "core", "value-add", and "specialist" tiers. The annual subscription covers core learning, which includes onboarding team members, supporting operational needs, and complying with brand standards. However, "value-add" and "specialist" learning, designed to enhance hotel and individual performance, are available at an additional charge at the discretion of the hotel.
Furthermore, while the cost for the General Manager and Hotel Experience Champion to complete the Leading the Brand Training for New Hotels certification is included in the annual subscription, franchisees are responsible for trainees' travel expenses for in-person classes, training expenses for optional or supplemental courses, and the purchase of subsequent training materials. Similarly, for the RAMP UP Program, while there are no additional fees to attend, participants are responsible for their own expenses for travel, meals, and lodging if they attend the workshop in person. These factors should be considered when budgeting for training expenses.