Does Black Bear Diner provide an initial training program for the franchisee and General Manager?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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. We supplement on-the-job training with approximately 15-30 hours of classroom and interactive, online training modules which we refer to as "Bears in the Know." Except for the Grand Opening Module which is conducted over 14 consecutive days, training is typically conducted on Wednesday through Sunday as described in the chart below. We provide training at one or more of our company owned Black Bear Diner restaurants which we determine. In the future, we may certify certain franchisee-owned Black Bear Diner restaurants that meet our requirements as "Training Restaurant(s)." If so, you may be required to attend and complete training to our satisfaction at a Training Restaurant. Any training provided by us to any of your employees will be limited to training or guiding the employees
regarding the delivery of approved services to customers in a manner that reflects the service standards of the System. You are, and will remain, the sole employer of your employees during all training programs, and you are solely responsible for all employment decisions and actions related to your employees. You must ensure that your employees receive adequate training. The content of the training programs may be modified periodically.
If you are an Area Developer and sign an Area Development Agreement for five or more restaurants, your multi-unit operations manager must attend and satisfactorily complete our initial training program.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 28–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Black Bear Diner Franchise Disclosure Document, Black Bear Diner does conduct an initial training program that the franchisee, their general manager (if applicable), and assistant manager(s) must attend and complete before beginning operation of the Franchised Restaurant. However, under certain circumstances, such as being a multiunit operator or having personnel previously trained by Black Bear Diner, the initial training program or certain aspects of it may be waived with preapproval.
The initial training program is primarily on-the-job and conducted over approximately 8 weeks, totaling approximately 320 hours. This on-the-job training is supplemented with approximately 15-30 hours of classroom and interactive, online training modules called "Bears in the Know." Training, except for the Grand Opening Module (conducted over 14 consecutive days), typically occurs from Wednesday through Sunday. Black Bear Diner provides training at one or more of its company-owned restaurants, but may certify certain franchisee-owned Black Bear Diner restaurants as "Training Restaurant(s)" in the future, where training may then be required.
If a franchisee hires a new General Manager after completing the initial Training Program, Black Bear Diner will provide training to the new General Manager for an additional fee of $3,000. Any General Manager hired must attend and successfully complete the initial Training Program within 60 days of hire. The initial training program may be revised, modified, or altered based on the personal qualifications and experience of the franchisee or General Manager. Black Bear Diner also provides additional training programs and courses to the franchisee, general manager, and other employees, which may be optional or mandatory. Mandatory training programs are provided without tuition charge, but the franchisee is required to pay all travel and living expenses incurred while attending training.