What is the deadline for a Crowne Plaza hotel to complete implementing non-hosted updates after receiving notice from FreedomPay, according to the FDD?
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 franchisee has some flexibility in implementing non-hosted updates from FreedomPay. Generally, the franchisee must commence these updates no later than twelve months after receiving notice from FreedomPay. The implementation must be completed no later than twenty-four months after the initial notice. This allows for a phased approach to minimize disruption.
However, there are exceptions to this general timeline. If a non-hosted update is required due to legal, network, or PCI requirements, or by another applicable authority, the Crowne Plaza franchisee must implement the update according to the specific date mandated by that law or requirement. This means that in certain situations, the update timeline could be significantly shorter than the standard twenty-four months.
Failure to comply with the update requirements can have serious consequences. FreedomPay reserves the right to terminate operational support for the prior software release if a Crowne Plaza hotel does not implement the non-hosted update as required. This termination can occur even if the hotel continues to rely on the older software version, potentially disrupting payment processing and other critical systems.