Who is responsible for paying the costs to attend the Black Bear Diner convention?
Black_Bear_Diner Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You or your General Manager is required to attend the Black Bear Diner Franchise Convention at which seminars, workshops and other training may be conducted. The Convention will be held at a location we designate. Attendance at the Convention will not be required for more than three (3) days during any calendar year. You are required to pay all costs to attend the convention; however, we may elect to offset certain costs otherwise required of you based upon the level of payments received (if any) from third party suppliers as described in Item 8. Should you or your General Manager fail to attend the Convention, we may assess a fee as described in Item 6.
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 are responsible for covering all costs associated with attending the Black Bear Diner Franchise Convention. While attendance is mandatory for franchisees or their General Manager, Black Bear Diner may elect to offset certain costs based on payments received from third-party suppliers, as detailed in Item 8 of the FDD.
The Black Bear Diner Franchise Convention includes seminars, workshops, and other training sessions and is held at a location designated by the franchisor. The convention is limited to a maximum of three days per calendar year. If a franchisee or their General Manager fails to attend the convention, Black Bear Diner may assess a fee, as described in Item 6 of the FDD.
In addition to the franchise convention, Black Bear Diner may also require franchisees, their General Managers, or other managerial employees to attend ongoing training programs, refresher training, seminars, informational classes, and meetings. Attendance at these programs is also at the franchisee's sole expense for travel and living costs. Black Bear Diner does not charge a tuition fee for mandatory courses but may charge a reasonable fee for optional training programs.