Does Confidential Information for Sonesta Simply Suites include knowledge of specifications for FF&E?
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's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Confidential Information includes knowledge of specifications for FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment). As a franchisee, you and your personnel may be provided with or have access to confidential information related to developing and operating Brand Hotels. This information, whether marked confidential or not, includes trade secrets under applicable law.
Specifically, the confidential information includes knowledge of specifications for, and suppliers of, FF&E, products, and supplies. This means Sonesta Simply Suites considers the details about the required FF&E, as well as who supplies them, to be confidential and proprietary. Franchisees are obligated to protect this information.
This obligation extends to your employees and contractors, who must also maintain confidentiality. You are responsible for implementing procedures to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of this confidential information. Sonesta Simply Suites also reserves the right to require your employees, agents, or independent contractors to sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect this information.