Is a Sonesta Simply Suites franchisee required to use a designated learning management system?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ing to help ensure effective use and maximize the benefits of the approved PMS.
We also require that you use one of our two designated Revenue Management Systems, our Sonesta booking engine, and our designated Central Reservation System, Sales System,
RFP management system, meeting and event RFP system, and SaaS software. We may designate the specific version of each software you are required to use. You must enable the property management system to provide direct full two-way connectivity with our central reservation system and loyalty program. Additionally, you must implement an authorized credit card interface, with tokenization and point-to-point encryption activated. Currently, tokenization is available through Shift4. You will also be required to use our designated learning management system. Other than the hardware required to operate Shift4 and other systems described in this section, ancillary equipment required to connect, secure, and operate your computer systems such as firewall, network switches, servers, desktop computers, printers, battery backup, patch cables, cable management, and data racks may be required. Costs for this ancillary computer equipment may range from $5,000 to $25,000 based on the size and operating model of your Hotel.
We estimate that the installation of the Property Management System will cost $8,500 to $15,000 for a 100-room Brand Hotel. You will also pay an estimated $450 to $675 per month for ongoing license and support costs for your Property Management System. You will pay us between $650 and $1,745 for the integration and tokenization of the Central Reservation System and Property Management System. You must also contract with our approved SaaS service provider to maintain your Property Management System; we estimate the subscription fee for such services to cost $5,400 to $8,100 per year.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 48–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Sonesta Simply Suites FDD, franchisees are required to use the franchisor's designated learning management system. This system is used to provide training materials, including the Brand Manual, training modules, and courses related to Brand Hotels and best practices in the hospitality industry. These materials are designed to assist franchisees in understanding programs related to Brand Hotels.
In addition to the initial franchise fee, franchisees may incur expenses related to the maintenance and support of the learning management system. These costs are estimated to be no more than $500 per month, but this amount is subject to change.
Franchisees will not need to incur any installation costs for the learning management system. The franchisor also specifies other computer systems that franchisees must use, including Revenue Management Systems, the Sonesta booking engine, and the Central Reservation System.