What training is required for a Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential Hotel Representative, and when must it be completed?
Sonesta_Select_Sonesta_Essential Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
on an as-needed basis throughout the year depending on our trainers' and attendees' availability.
Prior to opening your Hotel, or within 90 days of activating your Hotel in our system, one of your Hotel Representative(s) must complete the initial brand training program to our satisfaction. If at any time during the term of your Franchise Agreement your trained Hotel Representative is no longer employed by you, a new Hotel Representative will be required to attend and complete our training program to our satisfaction. If we determine that your Hotel Representative cannot complete initial training to our satisfaction, we may terminate the Franchise Agreement. If space permits, we may allow you to send additional attendee(s) to the initial brand training. Any individual attending our training program who has not signed the Franchise Agreement or Guaranty may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. You will pay us a fee in the amount of $1,500 for the initial brand training. In the event the initial brand training is conducted in-person rather than virtually, you must also reimburse us for our personnel's travel, meals, and lodging expenses, which we estimate to be up to $2,500.
You (or your Principal) may request additional training at the end of the initial training program, to be provided at our then current fees as outlined, if your Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained in the operation of a Brand Hotel. We and you will jointly determine the duration of this additional training. However, if your Hotel Representative completes our initial training program to our satisfaction and you have not expressly informed us in writing at the end of that program that your Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained in the operation of a Brand Hotel, then your Hotel Representative will be deemed to have been trained sufficiently to operate a Brand Hotel.
Training materials include the Brand Manual, and certain other training modules and courses designed to assist you in understanding programs related to Brand Hotels and best practices in the hospitality industry will be made readily available in Sonesta's learning management system.
Our training is conducted under the supervision of Derek Fournier, Vice President, Training and Engagement. Mr. Fournier has over 27 years of hospitality experience in operations, management, training, and development, and has 5 years of experience with us and our affiliates. He leads the training function for us and our affiliates and oversees a team of internal and independent subject matter experts who develop and deliver our training.
Source: Item 15 — **OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 69–70)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential requires that one Hotel Representative complete the initial brand training program to their satisfaction before the hotel opens or within 90 days of the hotel's activation in their system. If the trained Hotel Representative is no longer employed, a new representative must attend and complete the training program. Failure to have a Hotel Representative complete the training to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's satisfaction may result in the termination of the Franchise Agreement. Additional attendees may be allowed if space permits, and individuals who have not signed the Franchise Agreement or Guaranty may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. The initial brand training fee is $1,500. If the training is conducted in person, the franchisee must also reimburse Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential for personnel's travel, meals, and lodging expenses, estimated to be up to $2,500.
The initial brand training program covers brand programs, marketing, sales, loyalty, and brand culture. Training is offered on an as-needed basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of trainers and attendees. Training materials include the Brand Manual, along with other training modules and courses available in Sonesta's learning management system.
Franchisees (or their Principal) can request additional training at the end of the initial program if the Hotel Representative does not feel adequately trained. The duration of this additional training will be jointly determined by Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential and the franchisee, with fees based on then-current rates. If the initial training program is completed to Sonesta Select Sonesta Essential's satisfaction and the franchisee does not express concerns about the Hotel Representative's preparedness, the representative will be deemed sufficiently trained to operate a Brand Hotel.
The training is conducted under the supervision of Derek Fournier, Vice President, Training and Engagement, who has extensive hospitality experience. He leads the training function and oversees a team of subject matter experts who develop and deliver the training.