What pre-opening services does Black Bear Diner provide to franchisees?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
hisee's shareholders, officers, directors, partners, employees, members, managers, and spouses of each pursuant to a form of agreement as approved by Franchisor.
8. TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE
8.1 Initial Training
Franchisor will provide an initial training program for the Franchisee owner and Franchisee's General Manager ("Franchisee Managers"). The initial training program consists of on-the-job training of approximately three hundred twenty (320) hours over eight (8) weeks and will be supplemented with classroom and/or online training of approximately fifteen (15) to thirty (30) hours. The initial training program is structured to provide practical on-the-job training in the operation of a Black Bear Diner restaurant and will include training on maintaining brand standards in subjects such as food preparation, marketing, customer service techniques, equipment maintenance, point-of-sale system and grand opening. All Franchisee Managers are required to attend and complete the initial training program to Franchisor's satisfaction. Except for the grand opening training module, Franchisor conducts the initial training program at one of its affiliateowned Black Bear Diner restaurants as designated by Franchisor. Subject to mutual agreement of Franchisor and Franchisee, all or part of the initial training may be conducted at an alternate franchisee or Franchisor-owned Black Bear Diner restaurant. All expenses incurred by Franchisee Managers in attending such program including, but not limited to, travel costs, room and board expenses and salaries, shall be the sole responsibility of Franchisee. Franchisor reserves the right to revise, modify or alter the initial training program on a case-by-case basis based on the requirements or qualifications of any particular franchisee.
8.2 Opening Assistance (check applicable)
at Franchisor's expense, for approximately fourteen (14) days, one (1) to two (2), depending on
Franchisee's acquired level of proficiency, of Franchisor's opening team representatives, experienced in the System, for the purpose of providing general assistance and guidance in in the opening and initial operations of the Franchised Restaurant.
Franchisee agrees to provide Franchisor with a proposed projected opening date (the "Projected Opening Date") for its Franchised Restaurant that is at least forty-five (45) into the future. Subject to availability of Franchisor's opening team representatives, Franchisor will confirm as to whether the proposed date is acceptable and, if so, make certain monetary and other commitment in order to provide Franchisee with opening assistance on and around the Projected Opening Date. These commitments typically include incurring expenses for travel and lodging arrangements which may or may not be fully or partially refundable or subject to change. In the event that Franchisee requests that Franchisor reschedule the Projected Opening Date and Franchisor agrees to do so, then Franchisee agrees that it will be liable for and agrees to reimburse Franchisor for its costs including, but not limited to, travel and lodging expenses resulting from Franchisor having rescheduled the Projected Opening Date.
8.3 Failure to Complete Initial Training Program
In the event the Franchisee's General Manager failsto complete the initial training program or training modules to Franchisor's reasonable satisfaction, then Franchisee shall have the right to substitute a General Manager who must complete the initial training to Franchisor's reasonable satisfaction. Franchisee shall pay Franchisor's then current cost of training, if any, in respect of such substitute Franchisee Manager. Franchisee acknowledges that the initial training and other training provided by Franchisor is designed to protect the Black Bear Diner brand and reputation, and is not designed to control the day-to-day operation of the Franchised Restaurant.
8.4 Substitute General Manager
If, after beginning operations, Franchisee hires a substitute General Manager, the substitute General Manager must complete the initial training program to Franchisor's satisfaction within sixty (60) days of hire.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 56–243)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Black Bear Diner Franchise Disclosure Document, Black Bear Diner provides initial training and opening assistance to its franchisees. The initial training program includes approximately 320 hours of on-the-job training over eight weeks, supplemented by 15 to 30 hours of classroom and/or online training. This program covers practical aspects of operating a Black Bear Diner restaurant, such as food preparation, marketing, customer service, equipment maintenance, and point-of-sale systems. Franchisee's General Manager and the Franchisee owner are required to attend this training. All expenses for the training, including travel, room, board, and salaries, are the franchisee's responsibility.
In addition to the initial training, Black Bear Diner also provides opening assistance. Black Bear Diner will send one to two opening team representatives, depending on the franchisee's proficiency, for approximately 14 days to provide general assistance and guidance during the opening and initial operations of the franchised restaurant. These representatives' expenses are covered by Black Bear Diner.
Before opening, the franchisee must obtain written authorization from Black Bear Diner, which is granted only after the construction, renovation, and remodeling of the location are completed to Black Bear Diner's satisfaction, and after the required training is completed. The franchisee must notify Black Bear Diner using a prescribed form to verify that all pre-opening obligations have been met. Franchisees must also spend no less than $5,500 on grand opening advertising within one week prior to and eight weeks following the restaurant's opening.