Is a Crowne Plaza franchisee required to purchase subsequent training materials for new employees?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Note 5: If you are required to purchase subsequent training materials for any of the aforementioned training programs, Holiday estimates that such subsequent training materials will cost no more than a total of $5,000 per hotel for all trainees combined.
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 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may be required to purchase subsequent training materials for new employees. Specifically, the FDD notes that certain hotel positions, such as Directors of Sales, Front Office Managers, and others, must complete appropriate training and/or certification.
The cost of subsequent training materials is estimated not to exceed $5,000 per hotel for all trainees combined. This cost is in addition to travel and training expenses for optional or supplemental courses, which the franchisee must also cover.
Franchisees should factor in these potential training costs when budgeting for ongoing employee development. It is important to note that all required core certification training is included in the annual subscription for IHG University, but additional materials or in-person training may incur extra expenses.