Can a Crowne Plaza hotel make alterations or improvements to the equipment without approval?

According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee cannot make alterations or improvements to equipment without prior written approval. Specifically, this restriction applies to Dispensers provided by the company, as well as IHG-approved equipment used with the Secure Payment Solution.

For Dispensers, the FDD states that "No Hotel will alter or add to any Dispenser provided by Company without Company's prior written consent." This means that if Crowne Plaza provides a dispenser to the hotel, the franchisee must obtain written permission from Crowne Plaza before making any changes or additions to it.

Similarly, for equipment used with the Secure Payment Solution, the FDD specifies that the Hotel shall "not make any alterations or improvements to the equipment without the prior written approval of the manufacturer". This indicates that for this specific equipment, the franchisee needs to seek approval from the original manufacturer, not necessarily from Crowne Plaza itself. This requirement ensures that the equipment remains compliant with the manufacturer's specifications and any warranty terms.

These stipulations are typical in franchising, as they allow the franchisor to maintain brand consistency and quality standards across all locations. By requiring approval for alterations, Crowne Plaza can ensure that any changes made by a franchisee do not negatively impact the brand's image or the functionality of the equipment.