What is the length of the Black Bear Diner company's fiscal year?

According to the 2025 Black Bear Diner Franchise Disclosure Document, the company utilizes a 52/53-week fiscal year. This fiscal year concludes on the last Wednesday prior to December 31st. The company's financial statements for 2024 ended on December 25th and for 2023 ended on December 27th; both of these years contained 52 weeks.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that Black Bear Diner's financial reporting might not align perfectly with a standard calendar year. Instead, the company uses a slightly variable fiscal year to better manage its accounting cycles. This is a fairly common practice, particularly in the retail and restaurant industries, as it allows for consistent comparison of weekly sales data.

Understanding the fiscal year-end is important for franchisees as it affects the timing of financial reports, royalty calculations, and potentially other obligations to Black Bear Diner. Franchisees should be aware of these dates to ensure timely compliance and accurate financial planning. The 52/53-week year provides a consistent basis for comparing financial performance across different periods, which can be beneficial for franchisees in assessing their business's growth and profitability.