For the Crowne Plaza agreement, what is the consequence of making alterations or changes to the agreement?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Amendment To The Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resorts License Agreement Pursuant To The Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the above License Agreement ("License"), the following provisions shall supersede and apply to each License for an Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resort issued in the State of Washington:
If any of the provisions in the franchise disclosure document or license agreement are inconsistent with the relationship provisions of RCW 19.100.180 or other requirements of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, the provisions of the Act will prevail over the inconsistent provisions of the franchise disclosure document and license agreement with regard to any license sold in Washington.
Amendment To The Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resorts License Agreement Pursuant To The North Dakota Investment Franchise Law
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the above License Agreement ("License"), the following provisions shall supersede and apply to each License for an Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resort issued in the State of North Dakota:
-
- The laws of the State of North Dakota supersede any provisions of the License, or Georgia law, if such provisions are in conflict with such North Dakota laws.
Amendment To The Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC
Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resorts License Agreement Pursuant To
The California Department of Financial Protection and Business Oversight
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the above License Agreement ("License"), the following provisions shall supersede and apply to each License for an Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resort issued in the State of California:
-
- With respect to franchises sold in California, a franchisor is prohibited from modifying a franchise agreement, or requiring a general release, in exchange for any assistance related to a declared state or federal emergency.
Amendment To The Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resorts License Agreement Pursuant To The Rhode Island Franchise And Distributorship Act
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the above License Agreement ("License"), the following provisions shall supersede and apply to each License for a Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resort issued in the State of Rhode Island:
-
- Section 19-28.14 of the Rhode Island Franchise Investment Act provides that: "A provision in a franchise agreement restricting jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside this state or requiring the application of the laws of another state is void with respect to a claim otherwise enforceable under this Act." This provision will also apply to the Guaranty.
Amendment To The Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resorts License Agreement Pursuant To The Virginia Retail Franchising Act
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the above License Agreement ("License"), the following provisions shall supersede and apply to each License for an Crowne Plaza, Crowne Plaza Suites, and Crowne Plaza Resort issued in the State of Virginia:
-
- The Virginia Code Sections 13.1-557-574-13.1-564 provide: "It shall be unlawful for a franchisor to cancel a franchise without reasonable cause or to use undue influence to induce a franchisee to surrender any right given to it by any provision contained in the franchise." If any ground for default or termination stated in the License does not constitute "reasonable cause," as that term may be defined in the Virginia Code, that provision may not be enforceable.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza FDD, the consequences of altering or changing the franchise agreement depend on the specific situation and the state in which the franchise operates. Several amendments address how the standard agreement is superseded by state laws.
For instance, in Washington, if any provisions in the franchise disclosure document or license agreement are inconsistent with the relationship provisions of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, the provisions of the Act will take precedence. Similarly, in North Dakota, the laws of North Dakota supersede any conflicting provisions of the license agreement or Georgia law. California law states that a franchisor cannot modify a franchise agreement or require a general release in exchange for assistance during a declared state or federal emergency.
In Rhode Island, any provision in the license agreement that restricts jurisdiction or venue to a forum outside of Rhode Island or requires the application of another state's laws is void with respect to a claim enforceable under the Rhode Island Franchise and Distributorship Act. In Virginia, it is unlawful for Crowne Plaza to cancel a franchise without reasonable cause or use undue influence to induce a franchisee to surrender any right given to it by any provision contained in the franchise. Therefore, prospective franchisees should be aware that the enforceability and interpretation of certain clauses within the Crowne Plaza franchise agreement can vary based on local jurisdiction.