What is the franchisee's responsibility regarding a General Manager for the Springhill Suites By Marriott hotel?
Springhill_Suites_By_Marriott Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- C. Franchisee shall retain the exclusive authority and responsibility for day-to-day management of the Hotel. Franchisee shall employ a General Manager who is not an employee of Marriott. The General Manager shall have, and perform, all duties of the General Manager, as set forth in the Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 17 — , "Renewal, Termination, Transfer, and Dispute Resolution," is amended by the addition of the following paragraph(s) at the conclusion of the Item: (FDD pages 285–553)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Springhill Suites By Marriott's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is required to employ a General Manager who is not an employee of Marriott. The franchisee retains exclusive authority and responsibility for the day-to-day management of the hotel. The General Manager must fulfill all the duties as outlined in the Franchise Agreement.
This means that while Marriott may provide support services and offer recommendations regarding the hotel's operation, the franchisee has the final say in all management decisions. These decisions include pricing, hiring, scheduling, disciplining, and terminating personnel. The Service Provider, in this case, will not have any control over the employment policies or decisions made by the franchisee.
This arrangement allows the franchisee to maintain control over their business while still benefiting from Marriott's brand recognition and support systems. It's a fairly standard practice in the franchise industry for the franchisee to handle day-to-day operations with support from the franchisor, ensuring brand standards are met while allowing for local management and decision-making.