What criteria are used by Sonesta Simply Suites for site selection?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ding to, the proceeding. At our option, we and our affiliates may defend and control the defense of any proceeding arising from your use of any Mark under this Agreement.
6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
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.
All Confidential Information furnished to you by us or on our behalf, whether orally or by means of written material (i) shall be deemed proprietary, (ii) shall be held by you in strict confidence, (iii) shall not be copied, disclosed or revealed to or shared with any other person except to your employees or contractors who have a need to know such Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement and who are under a duty of confidentiality no less restrictive than your obligations hereunder, or to individuals or entities specifically authorized by us in advance, and (iv) shall not be used in connection with any other business or capacity. You will not acquire any interest in any of our Confidential Information other than the right to use it as we specify in operating your Hotel during the Term. You agree to adopt and implement reasonable procedures to prevent unauthorized access, use or disclosure of Confidential Information, including by establishing reasonable security and access measures and restricting its disclosure to key personnel. We reserve the right to require that any employee, agent, or independent contractor that you hire execute a non-disclosure agreement to protect the Confidential Information.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, site selection criteria are considered confidential information. As a prospective franchisee, you and your personnel may be provided or have access to confidential information, some of which constitutes trade secrets, relating to developing and operating Brand Hotels, including site selection criteria.
The FDD states that the franchisee has selected the site for the premises. Sonesta Simply Suites' acceptance of the premises only indicates that they believe that the site meets their current acceptable criteria, which have been established for their own purposes. The brand requires that the hotel meet the mandatory brand standards for equipping, furnishing, supplying, and maintaining Brand Hotels.
The franchisor indicates that applying criteria that have appeared effective with other sites and premises might not accurately reflect the potential for all sites and premises. Demographic or other factors included in or excluded from their criteria could change, even after their approval of the premises or, if applicable, your conversion of your existing hotel to a Brand Hotel, altering the potential of a site and premises.
The document indicates that the uncertainty and instability of these criteria are beyond Sonesta Simply Suites' control, and they are not responsible if a site and premises they approve fail to meet your expectations. The FDD emphasizes that acceptance of the Franchise at the Premises is based on your own independent investigation of the site's suitability for a Brand Hotel. Therefore, it is important for a prospective franchisee to conduct thorough due diligence and seek professional advice to ensure the chosen location aligns with their business goals.