Can Surestay Hotel By Best Western charge a fee for evaluating a proposed supplier?
Surestay_Hotel_By_Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you would like to purchase any items you are required to purchase from approved suppliers from any supplier or distributor we have not yet approved, you must submit to us a written request for approval of the proposed supplier or distributor. We have the right to inspect a proposed supplier's or distributor's facilities, and to require product samples from the proposed supplier or distributor to be delivered at our option either directly to us or to any independent, certified laboratory which we designate for testing. We may charge you or the supplier a reasonable fee for the evaluation, or require the supplier to participate in a brand marketing or rebate program, and will decide within a reasonable time (no more than 120 days). We have no obligation to approve any new supplier you propose. We reserve the right to periodically re-inspect the facilities and products of any approved supplier or distributor and to revoke our approval if the supplier or distributor does not continue to meet any of our criteria.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 48–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Surestay Hotel By Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may request approval for suppliers not already approved by Surestay Hotel By Best Western. If a franchisee wants to purchase required items from an unapproved supplier, they must submit a written request for approval.
Surestay Hotel By Best Western has the right to inspect the facilities of the proposed supplier and require product samples for testing, which can be sent directly to them or to an independent, certified laboratory. The evaluation of the supplier may involve a fee charged to either the franchisee or the supplier. Alternatively, Surestay Hotel By Best Western may require the supplier to participate in a brand marketing or rebate program.
The FDD states that Surestay Hotel By Best Western will make a decision within a reasonable time, specifically no more than 120 days, regarding the approval of the new supplier. However, Surestay Hotel By Best Western is under no obligation to approve any supplier suggested by the franchisee. Even after approval, Surestay Hotel By Best Western reserves the right to re-inspect the supplier's facilities and products periodically and can revoke approval if the supplier fails to meet their criteria.