Is a Sonesta Simply Suites franchisee allowed to operate another business from the hotel premises?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must operate under and prominently display the Marks in your Hotel. You may not adopt any other names in operating your Hotel that we do not approve. You also may not use any of the Marks or Network Marks, or the words "Sonesta" or "Sonesta Simply Suites " or any similar word(s) or acronyms: (a) in your corporate, partnership, business, or trade name except as we provide in the Franchise Agreement, the Brand Manual or otherwise in writing, or (b) in any Online Presence, except as we provide in the Franchise Agreement, the Brand Manual or otherwise in writing, or (c) in any business operated separate from your Hotel, including in the name or identity of any development or business adjacent to or associated with your Hotel. Any unauthorized use of the Marks will be an infringement of our and our affiliates' rights and a material breach of the Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 66)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Sonesta Simply Suites FDD, franchisees are restricted from operating other businesses from the hotel premises. The franchisee must operate under the Marks and may not adopt any other names in operating their Hotel that are not approved. Franchisees are also restricted from using the Marks or Network Marks in any business operated separately from their Hotel.
This restriction ensures that the Sonesta Simply Suites brand remains consistent and is not diluted by association with other businesses. It protects the brand's image and prevents customer confusion. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors typically want to maintain tight control over their brand and how it is presented to the public.
For a prospective franchisee, this means they cannot run any other business, even related ones, from the Sonesta Simply Suites location. Any violation of this rule would be considered a material breach of the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees should be aware of this restriction and factor it into their business plans.