What does Sonesta's approval of Plans and Designs for a Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential franchise NOT warrant?

According to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor's approval of a franchisee's Plans and Designs does not guarantee the depth of their analysis or assume responsibility for the efficacy of the Plans and Designs, or the resulting Construction Work or Renovation Work. This means that while Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential reviews and approves the franchisee's submitted plans, this approval doesn't act as a warranty or guarantee of the plan's effectiveness or the quality of the construction or renovation work that results from it.

Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential emphasizes that the franchisee is responsible for ensuring the Plans and Designs are suitable and effective for their hotel. The franchisee is advised to seek their own professional advisors to ensure the project's success. The approval is primarily to ensure compliance with the brand's standards, not to ensure the project's overall viability or quality.

This is a common practice in franchising, where the franchisor sets brand standards but the franchisee bears the ultimate responsibility for the execution and success of their individual location's construction or renovation projects. A prospective Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential franchisee should, therefore, not rely solely on the franchisor's approval as a guarantee of a successful project and should conduct their own due diligence and seek expert advice.