Before construction, must Black Bear Diner approve all plans and specifications for the Black Bear Diner restaurant build-out?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are responsible for developing the Franchised Restaurant in compliance with our system and ensuring that all plans and specifications comply with our requirements, applicable laws, and lease requirements. We will give you standard specifications and layouts for a Black Bear Diner restaurant. You must hire an architect acceptable to us to prepare your plans and make any necessary changes to our standard specifications and layout. Our acceptance of your architect will not in any way be our endorsement of your architect or render us liable for your adherence to any federal, state or local codes. You must give us, and we have the right to review and approve all plans and specifications before you begin constructing the Restaurant. You or your architect must certify to us that the architectural renderings, plans, and specifications comply with all applicable federal, state and local codes including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will perform a final inspection and provide you with a written sign-off if the build-out meets our approval. We must sign off on the final build out prior to your beginning operation of the Franchised Restaurant.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 22–26)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Black Bear Diner's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for developing their restaurant in compliance with the Black Bear Diner system standards. To achieve this, franchisees must ensure that all construction plans and specifications adhere to Black Bear Diner's requirements, as well as all applicable laws and lease terms. Black Bear Diner will provide standard specifications and layouts to guide the construction process.
To ensure compliance, franchisees are required to hire an architect acceptable to Black Bear Diner to prepare the necessary plans and modify the standard specifications as needed. However, Black Bear Diner's acceptance of the architect does not constitute an endorsement or liability for adherence to federal, state, or local codes. Before starting any construction, franchisees must submit all plans and specifications to Black Bear Diner for review and approval.
Furthermore, the franchisee or their architect must certify that the architectural renderings, plans, and specifications comply with all applicable federal, state, and local codes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. After the build-out is complete, Black Bear Diner will conduct a final inspection and provide a written sign-off if the restaurant meets their approval. The franchisee cannot begin operating the Black Bear Diner restaurant until this final sign-off is received, ensuring that the construction aligns with the brand's standards and legal requirements.