Verified Profile Established Brand

Black Bear Diner

Black Bear Diner Franchise Cost & Facts · Food & Beverage

A Black Bear Diner franchise costs $1.5M – $2.3M in total initial investment, with an initial franchise fee of $55K – $155K, across 92 locations. See the full Black Bear Diner fees, royalty, and Franchise Disclosure Document below.

Building your own franchise system? See how we recruit funded franchisees.

Food & BeverageFounded 2001· 25 yrs92 unitsblackbeardiner.com
Black Bear Diner logo

Total Investment

$1.5M – $2.3M

Franchise Fee

$55K – $155K

Unit Count

92

Year Founded

2001

Overview

Why Black Bear Diner?

Black Bear Diner is a food & beverage brand with over 25 years of operating history and 92 active locations. The full Franchise Disclosure Document, including unit-level financials, territory terms, training requirements, and franchisee obligations, is available on request.

The Numbers

Investment & Fees

Total initial investment
$1.5M – $2.3M
Initial franchise fee
$55K – $155K
Royalty fee
Available on request
Ad / marketing fee
Available on request

Regulatory Filings

FDDs on file

2025202420222021202020192018

Latest FDD on file: 2025. Request the document below to see Item 19 financial performance, Item 7 estimated initial investment, and territory disclosures.

Why every serious buyer requests the FDD

The Franchise Disclosure Document is the single most important piece of paperwork in your due diligence. It's federally mandated and contains everything a franchisor is required to share before you sign.

  • Item 7: full breakdown of your real startup costs
  • Item 19: actual unit-level revenue performance
  • Item 20: franchisee count, openings, closures, transfers
  • Item 21: audited financial statements

Frequently Asked

Black Bear Diner franchise FAQ

Is Black Bear Diner a franchise?

Yes. Black Bear Diner is a franchise in the food & beverage category, which means you can own and operate a Black Bear Diner location under a franchise agreement with the franchisor. The total initial investment to open one ranges from $1.5M – $2.3M. The franchisor provides the brand, systems, and ongoing support in exchange for an initial franchise fee and royalties, all disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

How much does it cost to open a Black Bear Diner franchise?

Total initial investment to open a Black Bear Diner franchise ranges from $1.5M – $2.3M according to the latest Franchise Disclosure Document. The actual cost depends on territory, build-out, and local market conditions. Request the full FDD on this page for Item 7's full investment breakdown.

What is the Black Bear Diner franchise fee?

The Black Bear Diner initial franchise fee is $55K – $155K, paid to the franchisor at signing. This is separate from total investment and does not include build-out, equipment, or working capital.

How many Black Bear Diner franchise locations are there?

Black Bear Diner operates 92 active locations as of the most recent FDD filing. Request the latest FDD for state-by-state distribution and openings/closures from Item 20.

When was Black Bear Diner founded?

Black Bear Diner was founded in 2001, giving the brand 25 years of operating history. Brand longevity matters in franchising because it correlates with refined operations, established supplier relationships, and a tested franchisee playbook.

Is a Black Bear Diner franchise profitable?

Black Bear Diner unit-level profitability depends on location, operating costs, staffing, and management. When a franchisor makes an earnings claim, it appears in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, the only place franchise financial performance is officially disclosed. Request the Black Bear Diner FDD on this page to review any Item 19 financial performance representation.

How do I apply for a Black Bear Diner franchise opportunity?

Submit a request through this page to receive the Black Bear Diner Franchise Disclosure Document. The FDD contains everything you need to evaluate the opportunity: Item 7 investment, Item 19 financial performance, Item 20 unit counts and franchisee turnover, and Item 21 audited financials. There is no cost or obligation to request the FDD.

Where can I get the Black Bear Diner FDD?

The current Black Bear Diner FDD can be requested directly through this page. Franchise Disclosure Documents are federally regulated by the FTC and must be provided to prospective franchisees at least 14 days before signing any binding agreement or paying any fee.

Compare

More Food & Beverage opportunities