When integrating third-party services with Crowne Plaza systems, who is responsible for obtaining the necessary programming and technical support?

According to Crowne Plaza's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are solely responsible for obtaining the necessary programming, technical support, and services required for their systems to integrate and function with Crowne Plaza's systems. This includes all related agreements, fees, and costs associated with the integration.

This means that if a Crowne Plaza franchisee wants to use a third-party service that needs to connect with Crowne Plaza's existing systems, the franchisee must handle all aspects of making that connection work. This encompasses identifying the necessary programming, securing technical assistance, and managing any agreements or expenses involved. The franchisee bears the full responsibility for ensuring compatibility and functionality between their chosen third-party services and Crowne Plaza's established systems.

Furthermore, the FDD clarifies that this responsibility extends to obtaining hardware, software, and internet data access from a third party if needed for the integration. If a service depends on online connectivity, the franchisee assumes all risks, responsibilities, and liabilities associated with transactions conducted while the service is offline. This highlights the importance of ensuring reliable internet connectivity and having contingency plans in place for potential outages to minimize disruptions and potential liabilities.