If an Embassy Suites hotel does not adhere to the 'Standards', is it still considered part of the 'Brand'?
Embassy_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Embassy Suites, as that name is used to identify the chain of hotels operated under the same Chain Code and Standards.
"Standards" means all standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies that have been and are in the future developed and compiled by us for use by you in connection with the design, construction, renovation, refurbishment, appearance, equipping, furnishing, supplying, opening, operating, maintaining, marketing, services, service levels, quality, and quality assurance of System Hotels, including the Hotel, and for hotel advertising and accounting, whether contained in the Manual or set out in this Agreement or other written communication.
"System Hotels" means hotels operating under the System using the Brand name and the Standards.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 97)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Embassy Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, an Embassy Suites hotel is identified as part of the brand based on its operation under the same Chain Code and Standards. The FDD defines "Standards" as the criteria and policies developed by the franchisor for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, marketing, and quality assurance of System Hotels, including the hotel's appearance, equipping, furnishing and service levels.
For a prospective franchisee, this means adherence to these standards is critical to maintaining the hotel's affiliation with the Embassy Suites brand. If a hotel fails to meet these standards, it would not be considered part of the Embassy Suites brand. The definition of "System Hotels" explicitly states that these are hotels operating under the System using the Brand name and the Standards.
This requirement ensures consistency and quality across all Embassy Suites locations, which protects the brand's reputation. It also means that franchisees must continually invest in and manage their properties to meet the evolving standards set by the franchisor. Failure to do so could result in the loss of the franchise and the right to operate under the Embassy Suites brand name.