When did Black Bear Diners, Inc. stop offering franchises for Black Bear Diner restaurants?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Black Bear Diners, Inc. ("BBD INC") may be considered a predecessor for purposes of certain disclosures in this disclosure document. BBD INC was a California corporation formed on December 21, 2001 and maintained its principal business address at 1880 Shasta Street, Redding, California 96001. From May 2002 until February 2016, BBD INC offered franchises for Black Bear Diner restaurants. In February 2016, BBD INC was converted, under California law, to BBDI LLC, a California limited liability company, as part of an overall transaction designed to consolidate affiliated entities, reorganize affiliate-owned restaurants, admit new equity owners and enter into a new credit facility. On February 12, 2016, a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement was entered into in furtherance of this transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, BBD Opco LLC ("BBD OPCO") became the sole member of BBDI LLC. BBD OPCO's sole member is BBD Intermediate Holdco LLC ("BBD INTERMEDIATE"), whose sole member is BBD Holdco LLC ("BBD HOLDCO"). BBD OPCO, BBD INTERMEDIATE and BBD HOLDCO were each formed in Delaware as a limited liability company on January 11, 2016 and each maintains its principal business address at 280 Hemsted Drive, Suite 200, Redding, California 96002.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Black Bear Diner Franchise Disclosure Document, Black Bear Diners, Inc. (BBD INC) stopped offering franchises for Black Bear Diner restaurants in February 2016. From May 2002 until February 2016, BBD INC offered franchises for Black Bear Diner restaurants. In February 2016, BBD INC was converted to BBDI LLC. This conversion was part of a larger transaction to consolidate affiliated entities, reorganize affiliate-owned restaurants, admit new equity owners, and enter into a new credit facility.
This change in corporate structure is significant for prospective franchisees because it clarifies which entity is currently offering the franchise. BBDI LLC is now the franchisor. Understanding the history and restructuring of the Black Bear Diner franchise system can provide valuable insight into the stability and direction of the brand.
Franchisees should be aware that while BBD INC is considered a predecessor for disclosure purposes, BBDI LLC is the current franchisor. This means that BBDI LLC is responsible for the obligations and representations made in the Franchise Disclosure Document. It is important for potential franchisees to understand the distinction between these entities and how the reorganization may have impacted the franchise system.