Under what circumstances is a Crowne Plaza hotel required to implement a non-hosted update to the FreedomPay Solution according to a date required in such Law or requirement?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FreedomPay may implement a hosted update on the FreedomPay Solution at such time as it determines, and Hotel shall have the flexibility to commence implementing non-hosted updates according to the schedule of IHG, which implementation shall be commenced no later than twelve (12) months after notice from FreedomPay and completed no later than twenty-four (24) months after such notice, unless such non-hosted update is required by Law, network requirements or PCI requirements, or other applicable authority, in such case Hotel shall implement such non-hosted update in accordance with the date required in such Law or requirement.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–424)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, a Crowne Plaza hotel is generally required to commence implementing non-hosted updates to the FreedomPay Solution no later than twelve months after notice from FreedomPay and complete the implementation no later than twenty-four months after such notice, according to IHG's schedule. However, if a non-hosted update is mandated by law, network requirements, PCI requirements, or another applicable authority, the Crowne Plaza hotel must implement the update in accordance with the date specified in the law or requirement.
This means that as a Crowne Plaza franchisee, you need to stay informed about any legal or regulatory changes that could impact the FreedomPay Solution. Unlike the standard update schedule, these mandated updates require immediate attention and adherence to the specific deadlines set by the relevant authority. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in operational disruptions or potential legal repercussions.
FreedomPay retains the right to terminate operational support for prior releases if a Crowne Plaza Hotel fails to implement a non-hosted update when required. This highlights the importance of adhering to the update schedules and mandates to ensure continued support and functionality of the FreedomPay system. Franchisees should maintain open communication with both FreedomPay and IHG to stay informed about upcoming updates and any potential legal or regulatory changes that may necessitate immediate action.