How must a Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential franchisee comply with brand standards?
Sonesta_Select_Sonesta_Essential Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You further agree to maintain the condition and appearance of your Hotel and the Premises in accordance with the Brand Standards and, consistent with the image of Brand Hotels, as an efficiently operated business offering high quality services and observing the highest standards of cleanliness and efficient, courteous service.
B. Products and Services Your Hotel Offers. You agree that you (1) will offer and sell from your Hotel all of the products and services that we periodically specify in the Brand Manual, including all products and services ancillary to the operation of your Hotel that we may periodically specify, such as food and beverage operations, restaurants, dining, bar, lounge, retail food and beverage services, banquets, meetings, events and catering services ("Food and Beverage Operations"), and such other products or services as we periodically specify; (2) will not offer or sell at your Hotel, the Premises or any other location any products or services we have not authorized; and (3) will discontinue selling and offering for sale any products or services that we at any time disapprove.
C. Other Operations. You must ensure that all applicable Food and Beverage Operations, and any other approved ancillary products and services, as provided in the Brand Manual, operate in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and all applicable Brand Standards.
You or the Management Company, if applicable, must provide training programs to such providers in the manner we may periodically specify.
We may revoke our approval of your Food and Beverage Operations, if applicable, and other ancillary product and service operations, in the event you fail to provide such products and services in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and all applicable Brand Standards.
- D. Management of Your Hotel. Your Hotel will be managed only by you (or your Principal if you are an Entity) or a management company selected by you and approved by us (the "Management Company").
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 84)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to the brand's standards in several key areas to maintain consistency and quality across all locations. These standards encompass the physical appearance and condition of the hotel, the products and services offered, and the overall management of the hotel. Compliance with these standards is crucial for upholding the brand's image and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Specifically, franchisees are required to maintain the condition and appearance of their hotel and premises in accordance with the Brand Standards. This includes operating the business efficiently, offering high-quality services, and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and courteous service. Franchisees must also offer and sell all products and services specified in the Brand Manual, including ancillary services like food and beverage operations, and discontinue any products or services that Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential disapproves. All Food and Beverage Operations must comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Brand Standards, with training programs provided as specified by Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential.
Furthermore, the franchisee's hotel must be managed either by the franchisee (or their principal if the franchisee is an entity) or by a management company approved by Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential. Franchisees must also adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing, and ethical conduct in all dealings with customers, suppliers, and the public. This includes promptly paying all taxes and fees, satisfying liabilities to third-party vendors, and refraining from any business or advertising practices that might harm Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's business or goodwill.
Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential also maintains a Franchise System Website, and franchisees must adhere to brand standards related to online presence. Franchisees cannot register, own, maintain, or use any online presences related to Brand Hotels or Network Hotels, or that includes the Network Marks, except as approved in advance by Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential. All use of online presences must comply with Brand Standards and other guidelines, including privacy policies. Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential retains the right to modify these requirements at its sole discretion, ensuring that franchisees stay aligned with the brand's evolving standards and practices.