What were the dates during which Black Bear Diner offered Option Agreements to existing franchisees?

According to the 2025 Black Bear Diner Franchise Disclosure Document, from March 2012 to March 2018, Black Bear Diner offered certain qualified existing franchisees the option to develop and operate one additional Black Bear Diner restaurant in a specific territory under the terms of an Option Agreement. Currently, Black Bear Diner does not intend to offer any additional Option Agreements. This means that while existing franchisees had a window of opportunity to expand their operations through these agreements, that option is no longer available.

For prospective franchisees, this indicates that growth opportunities will likely be limited to the standard franchise agreement or area development agreements, rather than option agreements. It's important to note that area development agreements involve a pre-determined development schedule within a specific geographic area, requiring the franchisee to open multiple locations.

The discontinuation of option agreements could be due to various strategic reasons, such as a shift in the company's growth strategy or a desire to maintain tighter control over market development. Prospective franchisees should inquire about the specific criteria and processes for securing area development agreements, as these appear to be the primary avenue for multi-unit expansion with Black Bear Diner. Understanding the current growth strategy and available expansion options is crucial for long-term planning as a Black Bear Diner franchisee.