What is the definition of 'de-identify' your Sonesta Simply Suites Hotel upon termination?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| PROVISION | SECTION IN | SUMMARY |
|---|---|---|
| i. Franchisee's obligations on termination/non renewal | Sections 14.C through 14.H | Pay us all amounts owed within 15 days, and promptly pay all amounts owed to third parties when due; cease use of the Marks; cease identifying yourself or any business as a current or former franchisee or Hotel and cancel all fictitious or assumed name registrations relating to the Marks; deliver to us or destroy all signs, marketing materials, forms and other materials containing any Mark or relating to a Brand Hotel, including copies of Confidential Information; de-identify your Hotel; cease using and disable or transfer to us or our designee all telephone numbers, Online Presences and other contact identifiers used to operate your Hotel; pay damages, if applicable; not interfere with our or our affiliates' relationships with vendors or consultants or engage in activity that might injure the goodwill of the Marks or Brand Hotels; and honor any advance reservations made for your Hotel prior to the termination at the rates and on the terms established at the time of booking. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 66–70)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or non-renewal of the franchise agreement, franchisees are obligated to 'de-identify' their hotel. This means the franchisee must take specific steps to remove any association with the Sonesta Simply Suites brand.
The FDD outlines several actions required to de-identify the hotel. These include ceasing the use of Sonesta Simply Suites' marks, stopping the identification of the business as a current or former Sonesta Simply Suites hotel, and canceling any assumed name registrations related to the brand's marks. Additionally, franchisees must deliver or destroy all signs, marketing materials, forms, and other materials containing any mark or relating to a branded hotel, including copies of confidential information.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to cease using and disable or transfer all telephone numbers, online presences, and other contact identifiers used to operate the hotel to Sonesta Simply Suites or their designee. This comprehensive de-identification process ensures that the hotel is no longer perceived as a Sonesta Simply Suites property after the franchise agreement ends, protecting the brand's integrity and preventing confusion among customers.