For a Crowne Plaza franchise, who is responsible for paying for trainees' travel expenses for in-person classes?
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 Crowne Plaza's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for covering the travel expenses of trainees for in-person classes. Specifically, this applies to the General Manager Program Onboarding Level and other training programs required for positions such as Directors of Sales, Front Office Managers, and Food and Beverage Directors. All required core certification training is included in the annual subscription for IHG University.
This means that as a Crowne Plaza franchisee, you must budget for these travel costs when sending your staff to training sessions held in Atlanta, at regional locations, or other designated sites. These expenses are in addition to any training expenses incurred from optional or supplemental courses that your trainees attend. This policy ensures that franchisees invest in the proper training for their staff, maintaining brand standards and service quality.
Franchisees should consider the potential financial impact of these travel expenses, especially when planning for initial training and ongoing professional development. It's important to factor in transportation, lodging, and per diem costs for each trainee attending in-person sessions. This is a fairly standard practice in the franchise industry, where franchisees often bear the costs associated with their employees' training and development.