If Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential approves a supplier, will the approval be granted in writing?

If you want to purchase goods or services from an unapproved supplier, then you may submit a written request for us to approve the supplier. You must submit to us all information, specifications, and samples that we request. Any goods or services from suppliers must be in accordance with Brand Standards. We will review all of the pertinent information. While we have no obligation to respond within a certain time frame, our review typically takes 30 days to complete. We have the right to require as a condition of our initial and continuing approval that our representatives are permitted to inspect and re-inspect the supplier's facilities, and that the supplier attend our brand conference and enter into our then-applicable supplier agreement. We currently do not charge a fee for the supplier approval process, but we may do so. We may change our approval process or supplier criteria at any time. If we approve a supplier as to any goods, services, suppliers, or materials, we must grant our approval in writing. We may condition our initial and continued approval of a supplier on certain requirements, such as delivery frequency, standards of service (including prompt attention to complaints), concentration of purchases, insurance protection, the supplier's willingness to enter into indemnity and confidentiality agreements, payment of reasonable license fees (if Marks are used), and other criteria. Other than this description of our criteria, we do not disclose any further details of our criteria for approving suppliers to franchisees.

We may approve suppliers on a temporary basis and/or revoke approval of Approved Suppliers who no longer satisfy our criteria for suppliers or do not pass reinspection, and if that happens, we will provide reasonable written notice of such disapproval to you. We do not provide any material benefit to a franchisee based on a franchisee's use of designated or pre-approved suppliers, except that your purchase or lease of goods or services as required is an essential element of your compliance with the Franchise Agreement and the Brand Standards, and your failure to do so is a breach of the Franchise Agreement and may result in your loss of material benefits, up to and including the termination of the Franchise Agreement.

Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 46–50)