For a Crowne Plaza franchise, which positions must complete annual retraining requirements as Holiday may designate?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Note 1: Every General Manager must satisfactorily complete the IHG® General Manager Program Onboarding Level within the dates required per the Standards (see Items 5 and 7). Holiday also recommends that the General Manager obtains the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). Holiday conducts General Manager training virtually, in Atlanta or at other designated regional locations. General Manager training focuses on areas of operation that are unique to the Brand System and to management functions. If the General Manager leaves the IHG system for more than one year and returns, they must complete the Onboarding Level of the IHG® General Manager Program within the first six months of starting in the role. 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. Every General Manager must also attend annual retraining seminar(s) when designated by Holiday.
Note 2: The persons holding certain positions in your hotel including, Directors of Sales, Sales Managers, Front Office Managers, Executive Housekeepers, Directors of Engineering, and Food and Beverage Directors or Managers must also satisfactorily complete the appropriate training and/or certification at Holiday's corporate office or another location that Holiday designates, within the date limits specified in the Standards of assuming their respective positions. All required core certification training is included in the annual subscription for IHG University. For in-person classes, you must pay for your trainees' travel expenses or training expenses incurred for any optional or supplemental courses that your trainees attend. You may be required to purchase subsequent training materials to fulfill the ongoing training of new employees.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 69–81)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza FDD, the General Manager of each hotel is required to attend annual retraining seminars when designated by Holiday. This ongoing training is in addition to the initial IHG General Manager Program Onboarding Level that must be completed within a specified timeframe, as detailed in Items 5 and 7 of the FDD.
The FDD also specifies that individuals in certain other hotel positions must complete appropriate training and/or certification within specified time limits of assuming their roles. These positions include Directors of Sales, Sales Managers, Front Office Managers, Executive Housekeepers, Directors of Engineering, and Food and Beverage Directors or Managers.
While the FDD mandates initial training and certification for these roles, it only explicitly states that the General Manager must attend annual retraining seminars when designated by Holiday. Franchisees should confirm with Crowne Plaza whether annual retraining is also required for the other listed positions, as the document is not definitive on this point.