What constitutes 'Approved Plans' for a Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham facility, and where are they approved?
Hawthorn_Suites_By_Wyndham Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Any material variation from the Approved Plans requires our prior written approval.
Approved Plans must incorporate design elements as set forth in System Standards.
1.4 Improvement Plans.
(a) Prototype Plans. We will provide your designated architect with a set of "Prototype Plans" for the construction, renovation or furnishing of the Facility, which your architect can use for creating the construction documents. To receive the Prototype Plans, you will be required to electronically designate an architect who must electronically accept the Prototype Plans Agreement. Within 15 days after we electronically receive the signed Prototype Plans Agreement, we will deliver to your architect a complete set of our Prototype Plans. Your architect and you will create construction documents (including a project manual and working drawings) for construction of the Facility based upon the Prototype Plans, System Standards and this Agreement so that it conforms as closely as possible to the Prototype Plans and System Standards, and then submit them for our approval before starting improvement of the Location. We will not unreasonably withhold or delay our approval, which is intended only to test compliance with System Standards, and not to detect errors or omissions in the work of your architects, engineers, contractors or the like, who must exercise their own independent professional care, skill and diligence in the design and construction of your Facility. Our review does not cover technical, architectural or engineering factors relating to the Location, or compliance with federal, state or local laws, regulations or code requirements, including without limitation, compliance with the ADA, for which your architect is responsible. You must allow for 10 days of review each time you submit plans to us.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 92)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, 'Approved Plans' must incorporate design elements as set forth in the System Standards. Any material variation from the Approved Plans requires prior written approval from Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham.
To facilitate the creation of these plans, Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham will provide a designated architect with a set of 'Prototype Plans' for the construction, renovation, or furnishing of the Facility. To receive these Prototype Plans, the franchisee is required to electronically designate an architect who must electronically accept the Prototype Plans Agreement. Within 15 days of receiving the signed agreement, Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham will deliver the Prototype Plans to the architect.
The franchisee's architect will then create construction documents, including a project manual and working drawings, based on the Prototype Plans, System Standards, and the Franchise Agreement. These documents must conform as closely as possible to the Prototype Plans and System Standards. The franchisee must then submit these construction documents to Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham for approval before starting any improvements to the location. Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham states that they will not unreasonably withhold or delay approval, which is intended only to test compliance with System Standards.
It is important to note that Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham's review of the plans does not cover technical, architectural, or engineering factors relating to the location, or compliance with federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or code requirements, including ADA compliance. The franchisee's architect is solely responsible for these aspects. The franchisee must also allow for 10 days of review each time plans are submitted to Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham.