Is Crowne Plaza required to use the Next-Gen Payments Solution during the term of the agreement?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
NGP Solution. Hotel will use IHG's Next-Gen Payments Solution for Hotel's processing of card payments.
Term and Extension. This Agreement is effective upon signing, and the term of 48 months will begin upon billing commencement for the Next-Gen Payments Solution at the Hotel ("Term"). At the end of the then-current Term, the Term will automatically extend for an additional 48 months, unless one Party gives written notice to the other Party at least 90 days prior to the end of the Term. IHG will provide one hardware refresh for each extension of the Term.
Solution and Pricing. Hotel will pay the following fees for the Next-Gen Payments Solution package deployed to the Hotel:
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to use IHG's Next-Gen Payments Solution (NGP) for processing card payments at their hotels. The initial term for using the Next-Gen Payments Solution is 48 months, starting when billing commences for the solution at the hotel. This term automatically extends for an additional 48 months unless either party provides written notice of termination at least 90 days before the end of the current term. IHG will provide a hardware refresh for each term extension.
This requirement ensures that all Crowne Plaza hotels utilize a standardized and potentially more secure payment processing system. By mandating the use of the Next-Gen Payments Solution, IHG aims to maintain consistency and security across its brand, which can help protect both the franchisees and their customers from potential fraud or data breaches. The franchisee is responsible for fees associated with the Next-Gen Payments Solution package deployed to the Hotel.
For a prospective Crowne Plaza franchisee, this means they must budget for the fees associated with the Next-Gen Payments Solution and integrate it into their hotel's operations. They should also be aware of the automatic extension clause and the notification requirements for opting out of the extension. Franchisees should also be aware that IHG reserves the right to lower the NGP Transaction Fee upon notice to the Hotel.