According to The Standardx FDD, what is the definition of an 'FF&E Manager'?
The_Standardx Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- "FF&E Manager" means an on-Site manager of FF&E, selected, trained and proposed by Hyatt and Approved by Franchisee, such Approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
If required by Hyatt, Franchisee shall in addition to the Project Manager and the Consultants, engage and retain at its own expense an FF&E Manager to assist Franchisee and its Consultants and contractors to meet the Design and Construction Standards. The FF&E Manager shall be selected no later than fifteen (15) months and no earlier than eighteen (18) months prior to the Opening Date. The FF&E Manager shall be an employee or independent contractor of Franchisee and shall provide monthly construction and photographic reports to Hyatt in such forms as Hyatt may reasonably require. Franchisee will be required to pay the FF&E Manager's salary, benefits, housing (in the form of a fully furnished one (1)-bedroom apartment) and other customary and usual costs incidental to their engagement (including office space and administrative assistance, reasonable transportation to and from the Site, one (1) round trip economy class air ticket to the home of FF&E Manager for each twelve (12)-month period, local income taxes and local business travel).
Source: Item 18 — OTHER INCOME (LOSS), NET (FDD pages 187–399)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to The Standardx's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, an FF&E Manager is defined as an on-site manager of FF&E (fixtures, equipment, and furnishings). This manager is selected, trained, and proposed by Hyatt, but the franchisee must approve the selection, and such approval cannot be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed.
In practical terms, The Standardx franchisee will have some say in who fills this critical role, but Hyatt takes the lead in identifying qualified candidates. The franchisee cannot simply reject Hyatt's proposed manager without a legitimate reason. This ensures that the FF&E Manager meets Hyatt's standards while still allowing the franchisee to voice concerns.
The FDD also states that if required by Hyatt, the franchisee must engage and retain an FF&E Manager to assist the franchisee, consultants, and contractors in meeting the Design and Construction Standards. The FF&E Manager must be selected no later than 15 months and no earlier than 18 months prior to the opening date. The FF&E manager will either be an employee or an independent contractor of the franchisee and will provide monthly construction and photographic reports to Hyatt.
Furthermore, the franchisee is responsible for covering the FF&E Manager's salary, benefits, housing (a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment), and other customary costs, including office space, administrative assistance, transportation to the site, one round trip economy class air ticket to the home of the FF&E Manager for each 12-month period, local income taxes, and local business travel. This represents a significant financial obligation for the franchisee, so it's important to factor these costs into the overall project budget.