In the Delta Hotels By Marriott franchise agreement, who is the agreement made with on Marriott's side?
Delta_Hotels_By_Marriott Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Nothing in this Letter Agreement will be construed as an obligation by Marriott to grant a franchise to Franchisee for the Hotel, authorization to use any of the Goods, or authorization to advertise or present the Hotel as a member (or future member) of the [Autograph Collection] [Delta] [Le Méridien] [[JW] Marriott] [Renaissance] [Sheraton] [The Luxury Collection] [Tribute Portfolio] [Westin] Hotel System. Such franchise and authorizations will only be granted pursuant to a signed franchise agreement between Franchisee and Marriott.
Source: Item 6 — Obligations of Franchisee.** Franchisee agrees to the following: (FDD pages 363–513)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Delta Hotels By Marriott Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement is made between the franchisee and Marriott. Specifically, the document states that a franchise will only be granted pursuant to a signed agreement between the franchisee and Marriott.
This means that the legal entity that the franchisee will be contracting with is Marriott itself, not a subsidiary or affiliate. This is an important distinction for franchisees to understand, as Marriott's size and financial stability could provide a degree of assurance.
Prospective Delta Hotels By Marriott franchisees should carefully review the franchise agreement to fully understand the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of both parties. Understanding the contracting entity is a fundamental aspect of assessing the legal framework of the franchise relationship.