What are the 'Standards' referenced in the definition of the Embassy Suites brand?

According to Embassy Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the term 'Standards' encompasses a wide array of guidelines and policies established by the franchisor. These standards dictate various aspects of the hotel's operation, including design, construction, renovation, appearance, equipping, and furnishing. They also extend to supplying, opening, operating, maintaining, marketing, services, service levels, quality, and quality assurance of System Hotels, including the Hotel, and for hotel advertising and accounting. These standards are documented in the Manual or other written communications.

For a prospective Embassy Suites franchisee, adhering to these standards is crucial for maintaining brand uniformity and quality across all locations. The standards ensure that each hotel provides a consistent experience to guests, which is vital for upholding the brand's reputation. While the standards cover many operational aspects, they specifically exclude personnel policies or procedures, allowing franchisees some autonomy in managing their staff.

The franchisor retains the right to modify these standards in the future, meaning franchisees must stay informed of any changes and adapt their operations accordingly. This ongoing compliance is a condition of the franchise agreement. Furthermore, franchisees are obligated to use the System, which includes the Brand, Marks, Trade Name, and the Standards, to distinguish their hotels and provide a high-quality service.

Embassy Suites may also require franchisees to purchase specific brands of products or services to maintain brand identity. While franchisees can generally purchase products from authorized distributors, Embassy Suites can enter into exclusive purchasing arrangements, mandating the use of approved suppliers for certain items. This ensures quality control and consistency across the Embassy Suites system.