Does Black Bear Diner charge tuition for all training programs?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
and "train the trainer" development.
We may provide and, if so, require that you, your General Manager or other managerial employees attend and successfully complete ongoing training programs including refresher training, seminars, informational classes and/or meetings. Attendance at such training programs will be at your sole expense, as to travel and living expenses. We will not charge a tuition fee for attending any mandatory courses but may, in our discretion, charge a reasonable fee for any optional training.
You or your General Manager is required to attend the Black Bear Diner Franchise Convention at which seminars, workshops and other training may be conducted. The Convention will be held at a location we designate. Attendance at the Convention will not be required for more than three (3) days during any calendar year. You are required to pay all costs to attend the convention; however, we may elect to offset certain costs otherwise required of you based upon the level of payments received (if any) from third party suppliers as described in Item 8. Should you or your General Manager fail to attend the Convention, we may assess a fee as described in Item 6.
Your General Manager and up to two assistant managers must attend the annual training meeting for General Managers that we may hold or sponsor. You are responsible for all costs of your managerial employees to attend the annual training. Attendance at the General Manager annual training meeting will not be required for more than two (2) days during any calendar year.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 28–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Black Bear Diner's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor does not charge a tuition fee for mandatory training courses. However, Black Bear Diner may charge a reasonable fee for any optional training programs. The franchisee is responsible for all travel and living expenses incurred while attending training programs.
If a franchisee hires a new general manager after completing the initial training program, Black Bear Diner will provide training to the new general manager for an additional fee of $3,000. The general manager must attend and successfully complete the initial training program within 60 days of being hired.
The franchisee or their general manager is required to attend the Black Bear Diner Franchise Convention, where seminars, workshops, and other training may be conducted. The franchisee is responsible for all costs to attend the convention, but Black Bear Diner may offset certain costs based on payments received from third-party suppliers. If the franchisee or their general manager fails to attend the convention, Black Bear Diner may assess a fee as described in Item 6 of the FDD.
Black Bear Diner may require that franchisees, their general managers, or other managerial employees attend and successfully complete ongoing training programs, including refresher training, seminars, informational classes, and/or meetings. Attendance at such training programs will be at the franchisee's sole expense for travel and living costs.