Does Embassy Suites By Hilton charge fees for both required and optional training courses?
Embassy_Suites_By_Hilton Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We and our affiliates offer many additional optional learning programs and may develop additional learning programs at any time. You must pay any fees associated with required and optional training courses. We may also charge for training materials. You pay for any travel, lodging and miscellaneous expenses of your attendees. For programs that include travel by our (or our affiliate's) trainers to your Hotel site, you may also be required to pay travel, lodging, tax and meals of the trainers.
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- Hilton Core Sales Skills. All designated commercial leaders and sales staff must successfully complete this certification program within 90 days of their start date.
This program teaches Hilton's sales process and reinforces critical consultative selling skills.
Attendees must complete the applicable track to complete the certification: The "Foundations" track is for attendees with less than 2 years of experience.
It consists of a 6-week blended learning program.
The "Accelerated" track is for attendees with 2 or more years of experience.
It consists of a 2 week blended learning program.
Currently, the cost is up to $600 per attendee.
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- New to Hospitality Owner Education. This portfolio of classes is a virtual learning program for franchisees that do not have prior hospitality or comparable brand experience.
This training must be taken before opening or within 90 days after a Change of Ownership.
We encourage you to complete this training before Owner Orientation.
This program will provide
baseline industry knowledge, best practices, and help build competencies in hospitality foundations including revenue management, asset management, sales generation, and talent management.
This training is provided by a vendor we select.
Currently, all fees are paid directly to the vendor.
At least 1 person in your organization must successfully complete this training.
Currently, the cost for this program is up to $2,500 per participant.
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- Brand Conference.
We require participation by your general manager and director of sales (or equivalent) in an annual Brand or regional conference.
Conference program fees and expenses are not refundable.
The conference may be held at various hotel locations.
Currently, the cost is $2,500 per attendee.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 53–67)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Embassy Suites By Hilton FDD, franchisees must pay fees associated with both required and optional training courses. The franchisee is also responsible for the cost of training materials, as well as travel, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses for attendees. If trainers from Embassy Suites By Hilton or its affiliates travel to the hotel site, the franchisee may be required to cover their travel, lodging, tax, and meal expenses as well.
Embassy Suites By Hilton offers several required training programs. For instance, the Hilton Core Sales Skills certification program costs up to $600 per attendee. Additionally, the New to Hospitality Owner Education program, which is a virtual learning program for franchisees without prior hospitality experience, costs up to $2,500 per participant. Franchisees are also required to have their general manager and director of sales (or equivalent) participate in an annual Brand or regional conference, which currently costs $2,500 per attendee.
However, the FDD also specifies certain training programs for which there is currently no separate fee, such as the Hilton Honors Training, ADA Training, Pre-Opening Training Resources, Owner Orientation, Eforea Spa Training, and Make a Difference training. For annual compliance training, Embassy Suites By Hilton offers training at no cost for topics such as cyber security, disability awareness, human trafficking prevention, diversity and inclusion, and unconscious bias. For harassment prevention and health and safety, Embassy Suites By Hilton does not offer training but will provide vendor recommendations, with estimated vendor fees typically costing $25 to $50 per person, per topic.
Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these training costs, as they can add up significantly, especially when factoring in travel and lodging. It is important to note that the fees and availability of specific training programs may change over time, so franchisees should confirm the current costs and requirements with Embassy Suites By Hilton before making any commitments.