Is an Embassy Suites franchisee required to adopt the pricing recommendations provided by the GRO system?
Embassy_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
cost of the original installation (but not including any elements that were needed for the original installation only).
GRO System
You must install our required Global Revenue Optimization ("GRO") system. The GRO system is an online application that utilizes third-party software to provide pricing recommendations for your Hotel based on robust data analytics and forecasting. The GRO system integrates with the OnQ system for ease of operation. You are not required to adopt the pricing recommendations provided by GRO. Currently, the GRO system is based on a solution provided by Integrated Decisions and Systems, Inc. ("IDeaS"), which provides maintenance and customer support services for the application. We may provide additional support. There are no other approved vendors at this time. We are not obligated to provide any maintenance or updates for the GRO system. The system is updated and maintained centrally by IDeaS. We will have independent access to your Hotel's information stored in this system. There are no contractual limitations on our right to access this information. Currently, you must pay for a portion of the installation costs o
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 53–67)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Embassy Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not required to adopt the pricing recommendations provided by the Global Revenue Optimization (GRO) system. The GRO system is an online application that uses third-party software to provide pricing recommendations for the hotel based on data analytics and forecasting. It integrates with the OnQ system.
While use of the GRO system is mandatory, the franchisee has the discretion to accept or reject the pricing suggestions it generates. This provides the franchisee with flexibility in setting prices based on their local market conditions and business strategies.
The initial installation of the GRO system costs approximately $3,800, but franchisees are not currently required to pay an ongoing fee to use the system. Embassy Suites retains independent access to the hotel's information stored in the GRO system without contractual limitations.