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What happens if Embassy Suites elects to purchase Authorized Equipment?

Embassy_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

receiving reports from Customer regarding software malfunctions subject to maintenance hereunder. HSS may attempt, to the extent practical, to resolve any reported problems by telephone or by accessing Customer's equipment remotely.

    1. On-Site Services. In the event HSS is unable to resolve any reported problem by telephone or modem, HSS will dispatch service personnel to Customer's Site for the purpose of providing maintenance services hereunder at HSS's standard rates and charges.
    1. Customer Responsibilities. HSS has no obligation to maintain or repair any software other than the Proprietary Software or PEP, nor to repair or replace any expendable or consumable components such as ribbons, paper, toner cartridges, print wheels, drums, batteries, or diskettes.
    1. Cost and Payment Terms. Annual Cost of Software Maintenance is $%AnnualSWMaint%. Payments will be calculated from the Start Date, payable in monthly installments of $%MonthlySWMaint%. The monthly payment amount will be due in advance and will be billed by HSS. Interest at the then current highest rate allowed will be charged for any payments made by Customer after the payment due date (thirty (30) days after billing).

Travel expenses, per diem fees and related costs for any on-site maintenance will be billed separately.

HSS reserves the right to increase or decrease the Software Maintenance cost on an annual basis to reflect increases or decreases in such cost internally and from the Preferred Providers of such services and to reflect the addition or construction of additional guest rooms

The term Authorized Equipment includes (i) the equipment needed by Customer at Customer's hotel, as determined solely by HSS, for the Customer's use of the Proprietary Software (the "Network Authorized Equipment") (ii) and any additional equipment authorized by HSS for use at Customer's hotel, over and above the Network Authorized Equipment (the "Standard Plus Equipment").

    1. Authorized Equipment Purchase. Customer may purchase the Authorized Equipment from the Preferred Provider who may provide a joinder agreement with Customer or from another retailer; however, if such Authorized Equipment is obtained from another retailer, it must conform to HSS's specifications. Furthermore, if Customer elects to purchase such Authorized Equipment from a third party other than the Preferred Provider, the file server and work stations must be shipped to HSS or its designee for certification that these components comply with HSS's specifications and testing procedures. Customer will also be responsible for the shipping and shipping related costs to and from HSS or its designee for such certifications.
    1. Authorized Equipment As Personal Property/Insurance Requirements. In addition to any other specific purchase terms required by the Preferred Provider, the following purchase terms and conditions will apply to any Authorized Equipment obtained from a Preferred Provider or HSS. The Authorized Equipment will be at all times, personal property which will not, by reason of connection to the Hotel, become a fixture or appurtenance to the Hotel, and until such time as Customer or its designated third party pays to the Preferred Provider the total sum for the Authorized Equipment as required hereunder, the Authorized Equipment will remain the property of the Preferred Provider, and title will remain with the Preferred Provider, free from any claims of Customer or the holder of any lien or encumbrance on the Hotel and/or any other property of Customer. Customer will maintain fire, extended coverage, vandalism, and malicious mischief insurance on the Authorized Equipment in an amount not less than the purchase price of the Authorized Equipment. Said insurance will name HSS as an additional insured. For so long as this obligation remains in effect, Customer will furnish to HSS a certificate of the insurance carrier describing the terms and coverage of the insurance in force, the persons insured, and the fact that the coverage may not be canceled, altered or permitted to lapse or expire without thirty (30) days advance written notice to HSS. Upon payment in full, title to the Authorized Equipment will vest in the Customer and will be free and clear of the above requirements relating to insurance and of all of the Preferred Provider's liens, claims and encumbrances and the Authorized Equipment will become the sole property of Customer. Customer assumes the expense of delivery and in-transit insurance for the Authorized Equipment.
    1. Authorized Equipment.

NETWORK AUTHORIZED (PROGRAM FUNDED) EQUIPMENT:

%NetAuthEquipOne%

STANDARD PLUS (HOTEL FUNDED) EQUIPMENT:

%StdPlusEquipOne%

SCHEDULE B-2 AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REFRESH

  1. Maintenance for the Authorized Equipment. Customer must take all steps necessary to provide all necessary maintenance services for the Authorized Equipment it purchases or leases so that it will receive such maintenance services for all such Authorized Equipment throughout the term of this Agreement. Customer may elect to use the maintenance company (the Preferred Provider) with whom HSS has arranged to provide maintenance services ("Equipment Maintenance") for the Authorized Equipment provided that such Authorized Equipment, if not purchased from the Preferred Provider, is first certified as being suitable for Equipment Maintenance, at the expense of Customer, by either HSS or the Preferred Provider. For such services, the Customer will pay as set forth in this Schedule B-2 (the "Maintenance Fees") and according to the terms of any invoice(s) submitted to Customer therefor, including any provision for late charges. If Customer elects to use the Preferred Provider and Equipment Maintenance is necessary, Customer will notify HSS, which in turn will notify the Preferred Provider to dispatch a Preferred Provider representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Customer may elect, subject to HSS's approval in advance in writing, to not provide maintenance services through this Agreement for certain pieces of such Authorized Equipment allowed to be used in conjunction with the Information System ("Non-maintained Equipment"). Neither HSS nor the Preferred Provider will be responsible for any maintenance or support of Non-maintained Equipment.

The following Authorized Equipment will be designated Non-maintained Equipment:

%OptOutMaint%

    1. Maintenance Fees. The Maintenance Fees are subject to increase or decrease by HSS, in its sole discretion, on January 1 of each year during the term of this Agreement or any extension thereof; however, HSS will not charge Customer any Maintenance Fees that are greater than the Maintenance Fees charged to any similarly situated Customer (based upon factors determined by HSS in its sole judgment) utilizing equipment substantially similar to the Authorized Equipment and pursuant to an agreement which has terms and conditions substantially similar to this Agreement. No maintenance fees will be charged to Customer for any Non-maintained Equipment as described in Section 1 above.
    1. Refresh of Authorized Equipment.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 97–305)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Embassy Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have several options and responsibilities when purchasing Authorized Equipment. Franchisees can purchase the equipment from a Preferred Provider, who may provide a joinder agreement, or from another retailer, provided the equipment conforms to HSS's specifications. If purchased from a third party other than the Preferred Provider, the file server and workstations must be shipped to HSS or its designee for certification of compliance with HSS's specifications and testing procedures, with the franchisee bearing all shipping costs.

Regardless of the source, the Authorized Equipment is considered personal property and not a fixture of the hotel. Until the franchisee pays the total sum for the equipment, it remains the property of the Preferred Provider, with the title held by them, free from any claims or liens. The franchisee is required to maintain fire, extended coverage, vandalism, and malicious mischief insurance on the equipment, naming HSS as an additional insured, and must provide HSS with a certificate of insurance with 30 days' notice of cancellation. Upon full payment, title vests in the franchisee, free of insurance requirements and liens.

Embassy Suites, through HSS, coordinates the installation of Authorized Equipment, whether purchased or leased from a Preferred Provider. The franchisee must provide and maintain the necessary communication vehicles for direct communication between HSS and the hotel, and make available a suitable location for installation at their own expense. They are also responsible for providing any required electrical connections and dedicated phone lines, as well as any necessary alterations to prepare the hotel for the equipment's installation and operation. If the franchisee purchases the equipment from another retailer, the installation date is mutually agreed upon after HSS determines that the equipment conforms to its specifications and can be configured with the software.

Franchisees must also purchase maintenance services for all Authorized Equipment they purchase or lease, including Network Authorized Equipment, unless maintenance is provided under the Brand IT program. The fee for Authorized Equipment Maintenance includes Help Desk Services. The purchase fees will be invoiced by either HSS or the relevant Preferred Provider depending on the location of the Hotel and the source of the Authorized Equipment. The franchisee will be provided the specific information not later than 15 days following the Order Effective Date. The franchisee will purchase and replace any source, paper, ribbons, printer maintenance kits, toner and such other operating supplies as will be required for the operation of the Authorized Equipment, but the franchisee will utilize only such brands as are approved by HSS or the Authorized Equipment manufacturer.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.