What is the deadline for a Crowne Plaza hotel to commence implementing non-hosted updates to the FreedomPay Solution after notice from FreedomPay?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FreedomPay may implement a hosted update on the FreedomPay Solution at such time as it determines, and Hotel shall have the flexibility to commence implementing non-hosted updates according to the schedule of IHG, which implementation shall be commenced no later than twelve (12) months after notice from FreedomPay and completed no later than twenty-four (24) months after such notice, unless such non-hosted update is required by Law, network requirements or PCI requirements, or other applicable authority, in such case Hotel shall implement such non-hosted update in accordance with the date required in such Law or requirement.
If Hotel fails to implement any nonhosted update when required as set forth herein, FreedomPay reserves the right to terminate operational support for the prior release (even if Hotel continues to rely on the prior release) and will not be deemed in breach for doing so.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, a Crowne Plaza hotel must commence implementing non-hosted updates to the FreedomPay system no later than twelve months after receiving notice from FreedomPay. The implementation must be completed within twenty-four months of the notice. This schedule is based on IHG's (InterContinental Hotels Group) schedule, providing some flexibility in the update process.
However, there are exceptions to this timeline. If the non-hosted update is required by law, network requirements, PCI (Payment Card Industry) requirements, or another applicable authority, the Crowne Plaza hotel must implement the update in accordance with the date specified in the relevant law or requirement. This means that in certain situations, the hotel may have a shorter timeframe to implement the update than the standard twelve-month commencement period.
Failure to implement the non-hosted updates within the required timeframe, as set forth in the agreement, gives FreedomPay the right to terminate operational support for the prior release, even if the Crowne Plaza hotel continues to rely on the older version. FreedomPay will not be considered in breach of contract for taking such action. This highlights the importance of adhering to the update schedule to maintain uninterrupted support for the FreedomPay system.