What is the Crowne Plaza Hotel Owner responsible for regarding startup costs at the Hotel level?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Hotel Owner is responsible for any startup costs incurred at the Hotel level as described, but not limited to, the below content.
An operator assisted link, pursuant to which the Hotel's telephone operator will answer all incoming calls and, if appropriate, transfer calls concerning reservations only to the Office.
All Hotel telephone operators shall be properly trained so that no non-reservation calls are transferred to the Office.
Hotel Owner must apply to SCH for an unpublished toll free number for the Hotel.
Hotel Owner shall program such number into the Hotel's PBX system.
If such work is not completed by Hotel Owner within thirty (30) days following issuance of the number by the Office, SCH may revoke such number and Hotel Owner must re-apply.
Hotel Owner shall be responsible for any monthly service fee charged by the local phone vendor and/or long distance carrier, as well as for any programming expenses associated with setting up the IHG Voice Reservation Service link and/or for subsequent maintenance/repair expenses incurred at the Hotel level.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, the Hotel Owner is responsible for any startup costs incurred at the Hotel level. These costs include setting up an operator assisted link where the hotel's telephone operators answer incoming calls and transfer reservation calls to the Office.
The Hotel Owner must ensure that all hotel telephone operators are properly trained to avoid transferring non-reservation calls to the Office. The Hotel Owner is also required to apply to SCH for an unpublished toll-free number for the hotel and program this number into the hotel's PBX system. If this is not completed within 30 days of the number being issued by the Office, SCH may revoke the number, and the Hotel Owner will have to re-apply.
Furthermore, the Hotel Owner is responsible for any monthly service fees charged by the local phone vendor or long-distance carrier. They also bear the programming expenses associated with setting up the IHG Voice Reservation Service link and any subsequent maintenance or repair expenses incurred at the Hotel level. These stipulations ensure that the hotel can properly handle reservation calls and maintain the required communication infrastructure.