Does payment of the Application Fee guarantee affiliation with Surestay Hotel By Best Western?
Surestay_Hotel_By_Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
this SureStaySM Application ("Application") in its entirety and provide all required documents.
The following terms and conditions apply to the Application.
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- SureStay, Inc. ("SureStay") requires payment of a $2,500 non-refundable Application Fee (includes costs associated with a SureStay evaluation site visit).
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- Payment of the Application Fee or submission of this Application does not give an Applicant the right to affiliate with SureStay. By submitting this Application, Applicant acknowledges and agrees that the Application may be denied for any or for no reason.
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- Applicant must execute the Agreement and pay the Initial Fee prior to execution by SureStay. Unless otherwise agreed, (i) if a conversion hotel, Applicant will have ninety (90) days from the Effective Date of the Agreement to activate as a SureStay branded hotel; (ii) if a new construction hotel, Applicant will have two (2) years from the Effective Date of the Agreement to activate as a SureStay branded hotel. Applicant may not hold the hotel out to the public (e.g., market, sell, advertise, promote, etc.) as a SureStay branded hotel until all conditions and requirements are met.
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- All fees are payable in U.S. funds.
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- Applicant agrees that it shall have no recours
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 88–286)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Surestay Hotel By Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, paying the $2,500 application fee does not guarantee affiliation with the franchise. The application can be denied for any reason, or for no reason at all.
Specifically, the FDD states that submitting the application, along with the fee, does not grant the applicant the right to become a Surestay Hotel By Best Western franchisee. The application's terms and conditions explicitly state that Surestay Hotel By Best Western can deny the application for any reason, or for no reason.
Furthermore, the document clarifies that the applicant has no recourse against Surestay Hotel By Best Western, its directors, officers, employees, or agents if the application is denied. This means that the applicant cannot sue or otherwise seek compensation if their application is rejected, even after paying the non-refundable application fee of $2,500. This is a significant risk for potential franchisees, as they could lose the application fee without gaining any rights or guarantees of affiliation with Surestay Hotel By Best Western.