Does Sonesta have the right to change the Brand Standards for Sonesta Simply Suites hotels?
Sonesta_Simply_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
not be prohibited from selling any Guest Room stay or other product or service at a price above or below the suggested retail price unless we impose a maximum price or minimum price for such product or service.
- L. Compliance with Brand Standards. You acknowledge and agree that operating and maintaining your Hotel according to Brand Standards are essential to preserve the goodwill of the Marks and the goodwill of all Brand Hotels. Therefore, compliance with all Brand Standards is mandatory, and you agree at all times to operate and maintain your Hotel according to each Brand Standard, as we periodically modify and supplement them. Though we retain the right to establish and periodically modify Brand Standards which you have agreed to maintain in the operation of your Hotel, you retain the right and sole responsibility for the day-to-day management and operation of your Hotel and the implementation and maintenance of Brand Standards at your Hotel. Brand Standards may regulate any aspect of the development, operation, and maintenance of your Hotel, including but not limited to any one or more of the following:
- (1) the appearance and condition of your Hotel;
- (2) operating procedures and platforms (including with respect to OTAs we may approve from time to time);
- (3) sales, marketing, advertising, and promotional programs (including coupons and other price-related promotions) and materials and media used in these programs;
- (4) staffing levels for your Hotel and employee qualifications, training, and uniforms (although you have sole responsibility and authority concerning employment decisions, including
selection and promotion, discipline, discharge, hours worked, rates of pay and other benefits, work assigned and working conditions);
- (5) the requirement to participate in our revenue management for hire program and pay us our then current fees for such program for the first year following the Opening Date, and thereafter to either continue such participation or employ a full-time certified revenue manager (who meets the minimum qualifications we specify periodically, including completing training in the revenue management system);
- (6) use and display of the Marks;
- (7) policies for the registration, use, content, or management of Online Presences, or other technology systems, solutions, or products;
- (8) methods of payment and currencies that your Hotel may accept from customers;
- (9) participation in market research and testing and product and service development programs;
- (10) participation in gift card and loyalty card programs;
- (11) pricing;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Sonesta Simply Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Sonesta retains the right to periodically modify and supplement the Brand Standards for its hotels. The FDD states that compliance with all Brand Standards is mandatory, and franchisees must operate and maintain their hotels according to these standards, as they are periodically modified and supplemented. These standards are considered essential for preserving the goodwill of the Sonesta Simply Suites brand and all its hotels.
These Brand Standards can regulate various aspects of the hotel's development, operation, and maintenance. This includes the appearance and condition of the hotel, operating procedures and platforms, sales, marketing, advertising, and promotional programs, as well as staffing levels, employee qualifications, training, and uniforms. While Sonesta Simply Suites has the right to establish and modify these standards, the franchisee retains the right and sole responsibility for the day-to-day management and operation of their hotel, including the implementation and maintenance of the Brand Standards.
Sonesta Simply Suites may modify the Brand Standards, which may require franchisees to invest additional capital in their hotels and incur higher operating costs to accommodate changes to hotel equipment, hardware, and software required for the computer system. Franchisees are responsible for complying with all modifications or supplements to the Brand Standards at their own expense, although the FDD specifies that the cost for adaptations and modifications should not be unreasonable. Franchisees should be aware that these changes are part of the agreement and must be followed to maintain the franchise.