What support 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. Franchisee agrees to pay the then-current initial training fee and is also responsible for all travel and living expenses.
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 support to franchisees through initial training, opening assistance, and site selection guidance. 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 brand standards, food preparation, marketing, customer service, equipment maintenance, point-of-sale systems, and grand openings. All franchisee managers must complete this training to Black Bear Diner's satisfaction.
Opening assistance includes one to two of Black Bear Diner's opening team representatives, depending on the franchisee's proficiency, for about 14 days to provide general assistance and guidance during the restaurant's opening and initial operations. Black Bear Diner also furnishes site selection guidelines and performs one on-site evaluation of a proposed site for each restaurant to be developed. Additional on-site evaluations may be performed at the franchisee's request, but the franchisee will be responsible for reimbursing Black Bear Diner for the expenses incurred.
Black Bear Diner also requires franchisees to spend at least 1% of the previous month's gross sales on local advertising, marketing, promotions, and public relations activities. Franchisees must provide an accounting of these expenditures to Black Bear Diner each month. Black Bear Diner may also introduce new menu items, products, methods, or technology that require system modifications, and franchisees are generally required to make these upgrades at their own expense.