What notification is required before hiring or changing management positions for a Crowne Plaza franchise?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must notify Holiday in the designated timeframe before hiring or changing any of these positions for any reason. These conditions would be determined by Holiday and contained in your License. Holiday may reject a proposed management company if Holiday determines that it is inexperienced in the hospitality business, generally unqualified to operate the Hotel or unwilling or unable to: (1) comply with all requirements of Holiday under the License and the Standards, (2) cease operating the Hotel as a Holiday licensed Hotel once the License terminates or (3) treat the terms of the License as superior over any conflicting terms in the agreement between you and your management company.
Source: Item 15 — Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business (FDD pages 85–87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must notify Holiday (the franchisor) within a designated timeframe before hiring or changing certain management positions. These positions include a management company, General Manager, Director of Sales, and/or F&B Director. The specific timeframe for this notification is determined by Holiday and will be outlined in the franchise agreement (License).
Crowne Plaza may also reject a proposed management company if it deems the company inexperienced, unqualified, or unwilling to comply with Holiday's requirements under the License and Standards. This includes the management company's ability to operate the hotel according to Crowne Plaza standards, cease operating as a Crowne Plaza-licensed hotel upon termination of the license, and prioritize the terms of the License over any conflicting terms in their agreement with the franchisee.
While franchisees may hire a General Manager and other staff members without advance approval from Crowne Plaza, the License may specify a required level of experience for these individuals. The General Manager and certain department heads are also required to attend Crowne Plaza's training program. This ensures that key personnel are properly trained in Crowne Plaza's operational standards and procedures, contributing to the consistency and quality of service expected across all franchise locations.