Does Black Bear Diner provide assistance in selecting the site for the Franchised Restaurant?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
chise Agreement, Section 8.6)
Site Selection
If you enter into a Development Agreement with us, we will agree on with you and designate your Development Area. Your Development Agreement will have a schedule by which each Franchised Restaurant to be developed must be approved for commencement of operations. Before or after signing a Franchise Agreement, you and we will agree upon an approved location and protected area for your Franchised Restaurant. We do not determine the site for the first or any additional Franchised Restaurants to be developed under the Development Schedule, but you must receive our prior written consent to the development of a proposed site for the location of each of your Franchised Restaurants. We may, but are not obligated to, assist you in site selection, but you are ultimately responsible for selecting the site.
You are responsible for selecting the site for each of your Franchised Restaurants. In many instances franchisees have a proposed site prior to signing the Franchise Agreement. If you do not have a site which meets our criteria then you must select a site within the geographic area designated in the Franchise Agreement. Though you are solely responsible for selecting the site, we will provide site evaluation assistance at your request. The assistance consists of overall evaluation of alternative sites and at your request one site visit. Our prior approval of the site is required. The factors we consider in approving a site include general suitability, traffic pattern, ease of ingress and egress, visibility, availability of parking, proximity of similar business and the
general lease terms. We will approve or disapprove a proposed site within 15 days of receiving all requested information. Our approval of one or more sites is not a representation or a promise by us that a Franchised Restaurant at the approved site will achieve a certain sales volume or a certain level of profitability. If no acceptable site is found by you and approved by us within 60 days after you sign the Franchise Agreement, we have the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement immediately on notice without any need for a cure opportunity. Once we have approved your site for the Franchised Restaurant, you have 365 days to actually open and begin operating your Franchised Restaurant. If you fail to open and begin operating your Franchised Restaurant within 365 days after we have approved your site for your Franchised Restaurant, we have the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement immediately on notice without any need for a cure opportunity.
The typical length of time between the signing of the Franchise Agreement and the opening of a Franchised Restaurant is approximately 180 to 365 days. The factors that may affect this time include your ability to obtain zoning approval, build-out of the site, weather conditions and other special circumstances.
Marketing & Advertising
Marketing Fund. We have implemented and administer the Black Bear Diner Marketing and Advertising Fund (the "Fund"). You are required to contribute, each week, an amount equal to 1% of your Gross Sales. We may increase the amount of your contribution upon 30 days' notice to you. We will not increase your required contribution to more than 3% per week. Your contribution will be made at the same time and in the same manner as the Royalty Fee.
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, the franchisee is ultimately responsible for selecting the site for their restaurant. However, Black Bear Diner does offer some assistance. Specifically, the FDD states that Black Bear Diner will provide general guidelines and assistance in selecting a site.
Black Bear Diner may offer site evaluation assistance at the franchisee's request, including overall evaluation of alternative sites and one site visit. The franchisor's prior approval of the site is required, and they will consider factors such as general suitability, traffic patterns, ease of access, visibility, parking availability, proximity to similar businesses, and general lease terms. Black Bear Diner will approve or disapprove a proposed site within 15 days of receiving all requested information.
It is important to note that Black Bear Diner's approval of a site does not guarantee any specific sales volume or level of profitability. If a franchisee fails to find a site acceptable to Black Bear Diner within 60 days of signing the Franchise Agreement, Black Bear Diner has the right to terminate the agreement. Once a site is approved, the franchisee has 365 days to open the restaurant. The typical time between signing the Franchise Agreement and opening the restaurant is approximately 180 to 365 days, but this can vary due to factors like zoning approval and construction.