Is the Application Fee for a Springhill Suites By Marriott franchise refundable?

According to Springhill Suites By Marriott's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the application fee's refundability depends on several conditions. Generally, the initial application fee paid by a prospective franchisee is non-refundable once the application is approved. Specifically, if the application for a development agreement or a single-unit franchise agreement is approved, the application fee for the hotel will not be refunded. This means that once Springhill Suites By Marriott gives the green light to your application, you should not expect to get that fee back under normal circumstances.

However, there is an exception where a portion of the application fee may be returned if Springhill Suites By Marriott does not approve the application. In this case, Springhill Suites By Marriott may return the application fee, less $10,000 and their costs. This indicates that while the full fee is typically not refundable upon approval, some portion may be returned if the application is denied, although Springhill Suites By Marriott will deduct $10,000 and any costs they incurred during the review process.

Additionally, if the applicant loses legal control over the site before the franchise agreement is executed, Springhill Suites By Marriott will retain the full application fee and withdraw its approval. This underscores the importance of securing the site before applying and maintaining control of it throughout the application process. The application approval is contingent upon the applicant maintaining legal control over the specified site. If control is lost, the approval becomes ineffective, and the application fee is forfeited. These conditions highlight the financial risks associated with the application process and the importance of meeting all requirements to avoid losing the application fee.