Does Surestay Hotel By Best Western have limits on its right to make changes to the System?
Surestay_Hotel_By_Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you are granted a franchise for a System Hotel, we will license you a hotel system ("System") consisting of the elements, including know-how, that we periodically designate to identify System Hotels. The System is designed to provide distinctive, high-quality lodging service at System Hotels. The System currently includes the Brand and all other service marks, copyrights, trademarks, trade dress, logos, insignia, emblems, symbols and designs, slogans, distinguishing characteristics and trade names (the "Marks"); all standards, specifications, requirements, criteria, and policies for use by franchisees in developing and operating System Hotels (the "Standards"); access to a reservation service; advertising, publicity and other marketing programs and materials; training programs and materials; and programs for inspecting your System Hotel and consulting with you. We may add elements to the System or modify, alter or delete elements of the System.
Source: Item 16 — Restrictions on What the Franchisee May Sell (FDD pages 64–65)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Surestay Hotel By Best Western retains the right to modify the System. The franchise agreement states that Surestay Hotel By Best Western may add, modify, alter, or delete elements of the System. The System includes the Brand's trademarks, standards, specifications, reservation services, advertising, training programs, and inspection programs.
This means that Surestay Hotel By Best Western has broad discretion to change various aspects of the franchise system. These changes could affect the franchisee's operations, marketing efforts, and the overall standards they must adhere to.
While Surestay Hotel By Best Western has the right to make these changes, the FDD does not specify any explicit limits on this right. As a result, franchisees need to be aware that the System they initially invest in could evolve over time, potentially requiring them to adapt their business practices and invest in new resources to comply with the updated standards. Prospective franchisees should inquire about the types of changes that have been implemented in the past and how Surestay Hotel By Best Western communicates and supports franchisees during such transitions.