Can Surestay Hotel By Best Western inspect a proposed supplier's facilities?
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.
Approval of a supplier or distributor may be conditioned on requirements relating to product quality and reviews, prices, consistency, reliability, financial capability, industry reviews, labor relations, client relations, frequency of delivery, concentration of purchases, standards of service, including prompt attention to complaints, willingness to participate in brand marketing or rebate programs, or other criteria and may be temporary, pending our continued evaluation of the supplier or distributor at any time and from time to time. We will make available our then current criteria to you, as necessary, upon request if we are asked to evaluate and approve a new supplier, item, or service for use with the System.
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, if a franchisee wants to purchase required items from a supplier not already approved, they must submit a written request for approval. Surestay Hotel By Best Western has the right to inspect the proposed supplier's facilities. They can also request product samples, which can be sent either directly to them or to an independent, certified laboratory that they designate for testing.
Surestay Hotel By Best Western may charge the franchisee or the supplier a reasonable fee for the evaluation, or require the supplier to participate in a brand marketing or rebate program. A decision will be made within a reasonable time, not exceeding 120 days. However, Surestay Hotel By Best Western is under no obligation to approve any new supplier proposed by the franchisee.
Even after approval, Surestay Hotel By Best Western reserves the right to periodically re-inspect the facilities and products of any approved supplier or distributor. Approval can be revoked if the supplier or distributor fails to continue meeting Surestay Hotel By Best Western's criteria. Approval of a supplier may depend on factors such as product quality, pricing, consistency, reliability, financial capability, industry reviews, labor and client relations, delivery frequency, purchase concentration, service standards, and willingness to participate in marketing or rebate programs. These criteria will be made available to the franchisee upon request when evaluating a new supplier.