How often might Black Bear Diner require franchisees to upgrade computer hardware or software?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
l limitation on our right to do so. You must update or upgrade computer hardware components and/or software as we deem necessary. There are no contractual limitations on the cost of any upgrades and/or updates we may require. However, we will not require you to upgrade more than one time per year.
You must abide by all applicable laws pertaining to the privacy of consumer, employee and transactional information. Also, you must understand and comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards which as of the date of this disclosure document can be found at https:www.pcisecuritystandards.org/ as well as the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA).
We do not have separate computer system requirements under the terms of the Area Development Agreement.
Training
We conduct an initial training program which you and your general manager, if applicable, and assistant manager(s) must attend and complete to our satisfaction prior to beginning operation of the Franchised Restaurant. Under certain circumstances, for example, you are currently a multiunit operator or your personnel have been previously trained by us, and you receive our preapproval then we may waive the initial training program or certain aspects of it. The instructional material for initial training program is primarily on-the-job and conducted over approximately 8 weeks and is for approximately 320 hours as described in the chart below.
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, franchisees must update or upgrade computer hardware components and/or software as Black Bear Diner deems necessary. While there are no contractual limitations on the cost of these upgrades or updates, Black Bear Diner states that they will not require franchisees to upgrade more than one time per year.
The initial cost of the computer system, including both hardware and software, is estimated to be between $45,000 and $85,000. Franchisees are not obligated to enter into any ongoing maintenance and support agreement for their computer systems, but it may be advantageous to do so. The estimated monthly cost of ongoing software and hardware maintenance ranges from $300 to $600.
Black Bear Diner also retains the right to independently access all information collected or compiled by the franchisee's computer system at any time without prior notification, and there are no contractual limitations on this right. Franchisees must also comply with all applicable laws pertaining to the privacy of consumer, employee, and transactional information, including the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA).