What is the purpose of the GMS for Surestay Hotel By Best Western System Hotels?
Surestay_Hotel_By_Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are currently required to license the System's PMS (currently AutoClerk Cloud PMS) from our affiliate, AutoClerk. When you obtain the required PMS, you will also receive the GMS. The GMS provides a full-suite guest management system for System Hotels. The GMS includes preregistration, dynamic upsells, guest messaging, digital compendium and mobile check-out. The GMS enables hoteliers to increase revenue, boost staff efficiency and maximize guest satisfaction. If the Property has a waiver from the requirement to use the System's required PMS, you must still obtain the GMS and pay all associated fees.
In order to license the PMS from AutoClerk, you will be required to enter into a Software as a Service Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit K. You are also currently required to purchase Lodging Link, a product offered by Comtrol Corporation that provides connectivity and integration of the PMS into other guest and hotel service systems (e.g. Call Accounting, PBX, in-room entertainment, Key Card, etc.). We, AutoClerk and Comtrol Corporation are the only approved suppliers of certain PMS-related installation, maintenance and licensing, and you will be required to make payments to us/AutoClerk for those services.
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, the GMS (Guest Management System) provides a full-suite guest management system for System Hotels. Franchisees are required to license the System's PMS (currently AutoClerk Cloud PMS) from AutoClerk, an affiliate of Surestay Hotel By Best Western. When franchisees obtain the required PMS, they will also receive the GMS. Even if a property has a waiver from the requirement to use the System's required PMS, the franchisee must still obtain the GMS and pay all associated fees.
The GMS includes features such as preregistration, dynamic upsells, guest messaging, digital compendium, and mobile check-out. Surestay Hotel By Best Western indicates that the GMS enables hoteliers to increase revenue, boost staff efficiency, and maximize guest satisfaction.
To license the PMS from AutoClerk, franchisees must enter into a Software as a Service Agreement. Franchisees are also required to purchase Lodging Link from Comtrol Corporation, which provides connectivity and integration of the PMS into other guest and hotel service systems, such as call accounting, PBX, in-room entertainment, and key card systems. Surestay Hotel By Best Western, AutoClerk, and Comtrol Corporation are the only approved suppliers of certain PMS-related installation, maintenance, and licensing, and franchisees must make payments to them for these services.