What is Crowne Plaza required to comply with regarding the Next-Gen Payments Solution?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Hotel shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in Attachment 1 (Third Party Terms – FreedomPay) and Attachment 2 (Third Party Terms – HPFS) to this Agreement (collectively, the “Third Party Terms”).
Hotel shall be responsible for procuring and maintaining, at its sole cost, all hardware, software and data communication and connectivity required to connect to the FreedomPay system and services (the "FreedomPay Solution").
Delivery of PCI-Validated Point-to-Point Encryption Secure Switching is subject to Hotel's compliance with the FreedomPay P2PE Instruction Manual (the "PIM") and Hotel's acknowledgement of such compliance in the form set forth on Exhibit 1 to Attachment 1 (PIM Acknowledgement) to this Attachment.
Hotel will, and will cause the Hotel Agents to: (a) test the Next-Gen Payments Solution in the environment of Hotel before use; (b) ensure that the personnel of Hotel are using the Next-Gen Payments Solution correctly; (c) enter information into the Next-Gen Payments Solution accurately and completely; and (d) report any actual or suspected software errors or failures discovered in the course of using the Next-Gen Payments Solution to IHG.
All Taxes resulting from the provision of the Next-Gen Payments Solution under this Agreement shall be the responsibility of Hotel.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crowne Plaza's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the hotel franchisee ('Hotel') must adhere to specific terms and conditions related to the Next-Gen Payments Solution. These are detailed in Attachment 1, titled 'Third Party Terms – FreedomPay,' and Attachment 2, titled 'Third Party Terms – HPFS.' Collectively, these are referred to as the 'Third Party Terms.'
The franchisee is also responsible for procuring and maintaining all necessary hardware, software, data communication, and connectivity required to connect to the FreedomPay system and services. Compliance with the FreedomPay P2PE Instruction Manual ('PIM') is mandatory for franchisees seeking Delivery of PCI-Validated Point-to-Point Encryption Secure Switching. Failure to comply with the PIM may result in IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) performing the obligation, charging the franchisee reasonable fees for mitigation, or disallowing benefits described in the PIM.
Furthermore, the franchisee has several responsibilities regarding the Next-Gen Payments Solution, including testing the solution before use, ensuring personnel are properly trained, accurately entering information, and reporting any software errors or failures to IHG. The franchisee also bears the responsibility for all taxes resulting from the Next-Gen Payments Solution. These obligations ensure the secure and efficient operation of the payment system while clarifying the financial responsibilities of the franchisee.