What is the deadline for Even Hotels to commence implementing non-hosted updates to the FreedomPay Solution after notice from FreedomPay?
Even_Hotels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FreedomPay may implement a hosted update on the FreedomPay Solution at such time as it determines, and Hotel shall have the flexibility to commence implementing non-hosted updates according to the schedule of IHG, which implementation shall be commenced no later than twelve (12) months after notice from FreedomPay and completed no later than twenty-four (24) months after such notice, unless such non-hosted update is required by Law, network requirements or PCI requirements, or other applicable authority, in such case Hotel shall implement such non-hosted update in accordance with the date required in such Law or requirement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 99–438)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must begin implementing non-hosted updates to the FreedomPay system within a specific timeframe after receiving notice from FreedomPay. Generally, franchisees have the flexibility to start these updates according to IHG's schedule, but they must commence the implementation no later than twelve months after receiving the notice from FreedomPay. The entire update process must be completed within twenty-four months of the initial notice.
However, there are exceptions to this general rule. If a non-hosted update is mandated by law, network requirements, PCI requirements, or any other applicable authority, the franchisee is required to implement the update in accordance with the specific date stipulated in that law or requirement. This means that in certain situations, the implementation timeline could be significantly shorter than the standard twelve to twenty-four month period.
Failure to comply with these update requirements can have serious consequences for an Even Hotels franchisee. FreedomPay reserves the right to terminate operational support for the prior software release if a franchisee fails to implement a required non-hosted update within the specified timeframe. This termination of support can occur even if the franchisee continues to use the older, unsupported release, potentially disrupting their payment processing capabilities and overall business operations.