During the term of the Sonesta Simply Suites agreement, can a franchisee interfere with Sonesta's relationships with its guests?

According to the 2025 Sonesta Simply Suites Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are prohibited from interfering with Sonesta's relationships with its guests. Specifically, the franchise agreement forbids franchisees from interfering or attempting to interfere with Sonesta's or its affiliates' relationships with any guests. This restriction is in place to protect the goodwill of the Sonesta Simply Suites brand and the broader network of hotels under its umbrella.

This provision ensures that Sonesta Simply Suites can maintain consistent standards and quality across all its franchised locations. By preventing franchisees from interfering with guest relationships, Sonesta aims to uphold a positive brand image and customer loyalty. This is a common practice in franchising, where maintaining brand consistency is crucial for success.

Furthermore, the agreement also states that franchisees cannot engage in any activity that might injure the goodwill of the Marks (trademarks, service marks, and commercial symbols) or the Brand Hotels. This clause reinforces the importance of protecting the brand's reputation and ensuring that franchisees act in a manner that aligns with Sonesta's overall business objectives. This includes relationships with guests, franchisees, lenders, vendors or consultants.

In practical terms, this means a Sonesta Simply Suites franchisee must avoid any actions that could negatively impact guest satisfaction or damage the brand's reputation. This could include, but is not limited to, providing substandard service, engaging in deceptive practices, or failing to address guest complaints promptly and effectively. Franchisees must adhere to Sonesta's standards and guidelines to ensure a consistent and positive experience for all guests.