What are 'Group Owner Instructions' in the context of a Crowne Plaza franchise?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
From time to time, the Group Owner may ask or instruct us to provide the Services in a certain manner, in connection with certain communications, as part of a certain program, or as the Group Owner otherwise specifies ("Group Owner Instructions").
For example, Group Owner Instructions may ask us to follow certain Debit Card routing instructions or instruct us to set up Services in a certain manner.
You consent to our providing you the Services in accordance with the Group Owner Instructions and you waive all claims you may have against us, and related losses, arising from our following the Group Owner Instructions.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza FDD, 'Group Owner Instructions' refer to specific directions or requests made by the Group Owner to the service provider regarding how services should be delivered to Crowne Plaza franchisees. These instructions can relate to various aspects of service provision, such as communication methods, program participation, or specific service configurations. For instance, the Group Owner might specify certain debit card routing instructions or dictate a particular setup for services provided to the franchisee.
As a Crowne Plaza franchisee, you consent to the service provider following these Group Owner Instructions. This means that the Group Owner has a degree of influence over how certain services are administered to your franchise location. It is important to understand that by agreeing to this arrangement, you also waive any claims against the service provider for losses arising from their adherence to the Group Owner's instructions.
This arrangement highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between Crowne Plaza, the Group Owner, and the service providers. While this setup allows for potentially streamlined or customized services, it also places a degree of control outside of the direct franchisor-franchisee relationship. A prospective franchisee should seek clarity on the scope and nature of these 'Group Owner Instructions' to fully assess their potential impact on their business operations.