Does Sonesta Simply Suites require franchisees to offer retail food and beverage services?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
B. Products and Services Your Hotel Offers. You agree that you (1) will offer and sell from your Hotel all of the products and services that we periodically specify in the Brand Manual, including all products and services ancillary to the operation of your Hotel that we may periodically specify, such as food and beverage operations, dining, bar, lounge, retail food and beverage services, meetings, events, and catering services ("Food and Beverage Operations"), and such other products or services as we periodically specify; (2) will not offer or sell at your Hotel, the Premises or any other location any products or services we have not authorized; and (3) will discontinue selling and offering for sale any products or services that we at any time disapprove.
C. Other Operations. You must ensure that all applicable Food and Beverage Operations, and any other approved ancillary products and services, as provided in the Brand Manual, operate in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and all applicable Brand Standards.
You or the Management Company, if applicable, must provide training programs to such providers in the manner we may periodically specify.
We may revoke our approval of your Food and Beverage Operations and other ancillary product and service operations, in the event you fail to provide such products and services in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and all applicable Brand Standards.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Sonesta Simply Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must offer and sell all products and services that Sonesta Simply Suites periodically specifies in the Brand Manual. This includes products and services ancillary to the hotel's operation, such as food and beverage operations, dining, bar, lounge, retail food and beverage services, meetings, events, and catering services, collectively referred to as "Food and Beverage Operations." Franchisees cannot offer or sell any unauthorized products or services and must discontinue any disapproved products or services.
Sonesta Simply Suites requires that all Food and Beverage Operations and other approved ancillary services comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Brand Standards outlined in the Brand Manual. Franchisees, or their Management Company if applicable, must provide training programs to service providers as specified by Sonesta Simply Suites. Sonesta Simply Suites retains the right to revoke approval of Food and Beverage Operations if franchisees fail to comply with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Brand Standards.
This requirement ensures that Sonesta Simply Suites maintains a consistent brand experience and quality across all franchised locations. Franchisees must be prepared to invest in the necessary infrastructure, training, and compliance measures to meet these standards. The franchisor's ability to mandate specific products and services, and to revoke approval for non-compliance, gives them significant control over the franchisee's operations.