What is the definition of 'Designs' in the context of a Sonesta Simply Suites franchise?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must submit to us your plans, layouts, specifications, and drawings for your Hotel (collectively, the "Plans"), and your plans, layouts, specifications, and drawings for the proposed furnishings, fixtures, equipment and décor of your Hotel (collectively, the "Designs") with respect to the Construction Work. We may supply you with representative prototype guest room and public area plans and schematic building plans as a guide for preparation of the Plans and Designs. Our approval of such Plans and Designs does not warrant the depth of our analysis or assume any responsibility for the efficacy of the Plans and Designs, or the resulting Construction Work. You acknowledge and agree that you will not rely upon any approval we may provide you for the Plans or Designs for any purpose whatsoever except compliance with our then prevailing Brand Standards.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, "Designs" refer to the plans, layouts, specifications, and drawings for the proposed furnishings, fixtures, equipment, and décor of the hotel. These designs are related to the construction work necessary to establish a Sonesta Simply Suites franchise.
Before starting any construction work, a franchisee must submit these "Designs" to Sonesta Simply Suites for approval. The franchisor may provide prototype guest room and public area plans as a guide. However, the FDD states that Sonesta Simply Suites's approval of the designs does not imply any warranty or responsibility for their effectiveness or the resulting construction work. The franchisee is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the hotel and all construction work comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements.
This means that while Sonesta Simply Suites offers guidance and must approve the franchisee's designs, the franchisee bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the designs are compliant and effective. Prospective franchisees should engage their own professional advisors to ensure compliance with local regulations and suitability for their specific location. This is a common practice in franchising, where the franchisor sets brand standards, but the franchisee is responsible for implementation and compliance at their specific location.