Does Confidential Information for Sonesta Simply Suites include customer data?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You and your owners and personnel may from time to time be provided and/or have access to certain confidential information, some of which constitutes trade secrets under applicable law (the "Confidential Information"), relating to developing and operating Brand Hotels, whether or not marked confidential, including (without limitation):
- (1) site selection criteria;
- (2) training and operations materials and manuals, including the Brand Manual;
- (3) the Brand Standards and other methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, techniques, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge, and experience used in developing, promoting, and operating Brand Hotels;
- (4) market research, promotional, marketing and advertising programs for Brand Hotels;
- (5) knowledge of specifications for, and suppliers of FF&E, products, and supplies;
- (6) any Computer System, computer software, or similar technology which is proprietary to us or our affiliates, including digital passwords and identifications and any source code of, and data, reports, and other printed materials generated by, the software or similar technology;
- (7) knowledge of the operating results and financial performance of Brand Hotels, other than your Hotel; and
- (8) customer data.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, customer data is explicitly considered Confidential Information. This means that franchisees receive access to sensitive information essential for operating their Sonesta Simply Suites hotel. This information is protected under the franchise agreement.
The franchise agreement outlines that Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, site selection criteria, training and operations manuals, brand standards, marketing programs, supplier knowledge, computer systems, operating results, and explicitly, customer data. Franchisees are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of this information and prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
Sonesta Simply Suites requires franchisees to adopt and implement reasonable procedures to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of Confidential Information. This includes establishing security and access measures and restricting disclosure to key personnel. The franchisor also reserves the right to require employees to sign non-disclosure agreements to protect Confidential Information. This underscores the importance Sonesta Simply Suites places on protecting sensitive business information and customer data, and the responsibility of the franchisee in maintaining this confidentiality.