For Sonesta Simply Suites, what is the franchisee required to do regarding personnel training?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
g within a designated time period, prior to or after your Opening Date. All training must be completed to our satisfaction and verification of successful completion must be presented upon our request. Additionally, you must ensure at all times that your personnel is adequately trained, and you agree to provide such evidence and verification of your personnels' training as we may request from time to time.
You (or your Principal) may request additional training at the end of the initial brand training program, to be provided at our then-current fees if your Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained in the operation of a Brand Hotel. We and you will jointly determine the duration of this additional training. However, if your Hotel Representative completes our initial brand training program to our satisfaction and you have not expressly informed us in writing at the end of that program that your Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained in the operation of a Brand Hotel, then your Hotel Representative will be deemed to have been trained sufficiently to operate a Brand Hotel.
We may require your Hotel Representative(s) and you (or your Principal) to attend and complete to our satisfaction various training courses that we periodically choose to provide at the times and locations that we designate, including courses and programs provided by third parties we designate. You will pay our then-current ongoing training fees for such training (currently (i) $2,000 per day, plus our personnel's travel costs and expenses for in-person, on-site training, and (ii) $200 per hour of training for virtual training, subject to Fee Adjustments). We will not require attendance at more than two such courses, or for more than a total of three business days, during a calendar year. Besides attending these courses, you agree to attend the Brand Conference (as defined in Section 4.B) at a location we designate. All training and the Brand Conference may be held virtually, in our sole discretion. Attendance will not be required for more than five days during any calendar year. You agree to pay all costs to attend, including the attendance fees we then charge.
If at any time during the Term your trained Hotel Representative is no longer employed by you, a new Hotel Representative must complete to our satisfaction our then current initial brand training program. We may charge our then current training fee for training new Principals and Hotel Representatives. You also agree to pay all travel and living expenses which your Principal or Hotel Representative(s) incurs during all training courses and programs.
You acknowledge and agree that any specific ongoing training or advice we provide does not create an obligation (whether by course of dealing or otherwise) to continue to provide such specific training or
advice, all of which we may discontinue and modify from time to time. We reserve the right to require any of your employees attending training to sign a confidentiality agreement pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
- B. Brand Conference. We will convene a brand conference ("Brand Conference") no less frequently than every 24 months at the location of our choice, or virtually, as we determine in our discretion, at which Brand Hotel franchisees may network and participate in educational seminars. You (or one of your owners), and your general manager (or a representative of your Management Company, if applicable) must attend the Brand Conference. You must pay our then-current Brand Conference fee for each attendee. You will be solely responsible for your attendees' wages and expenses of travel, lodging, certain meals, and other out-of-pocket costs.
- C. General Guidance. We may, in our discretion, advise you from time to time regarding the operation of your Hotel based on your reports or our inspections, with respect to:
- (1) standards, specifications, and operating procedures and methods that Brand Hotels use;
- (2) purchasing required and authorized furniture, fixtures, and equipment ("FF&E") and other products and services;
- (3) advertising and marketing materials and programs;
- (4) reservation services;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must ensure their personnel is adequately trained at all times and provide evidence of such training upon request. Prior to opening the hotel, or within 90 days of activating it within the franchise system, the franchisee must ensure that their Hotel Representative (general manager or equivalent) completes the initial brand training to Sonesta Simply Suites' satisfaction. This training, conducted virtually or at a designated location, typically lasts up to four days, though the duration can vary based on the Hotel Representative's experience and needs. The franchisee is responsible for a $1,500 initial brand training fee, as well as travel, living expenses, wages, and worker's compensation for their employee while attending training. If the Hotel Representative fails to complete the initial brand training satisfactorily, Sonesta Simply Suites may terminate the Franchise Agreement.
The initial brand training covers material aspects of operating a Sonesta Simply Suites hotel, including brand culture, the loyalty program, related software, brand programs, marketing, and sales. Franchisees may send additional attendees to the initial brand training if space permits. Franchisees (or their Principal) may request additional training at their own expense if the Hotel Representative does not feel adequately trained after the initial program. If Sonesta Simply Suites is not notified in writing at the end of the initial training program that the Hotel Representative does not feel sufficiently trained, the Hotel Representative will be deemed to have been sufficiently trained to operate a Brand Hotel.
Sonesta Simply Suites may also require Hotel Representatives and the franchisee (or their Principal) to attend and complete various training courses periodically, including those provided by third parties. The franchisee will pay ongoing training fees, currently $2,000 per day plus expenses for in-person, on-site training, or $200 per hour for virtual training, subject to adjustments. Attendance at these courses will not be required for more than two courses or a total of three business days during a calendar year. Franchisees must also attend the Brand Conference, which may be held virtually, and attendance will not be required for more than five days during any calendar year. The franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with attending these events, including attendance fees. If a trained Hotel Representative is no longer employed by the franchisee, a new Hotel Representative must complete the initial brand training program to Sonesta Simply Suites' satisfaction, and the franchisee may be charged a training fee.