FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Black Bear Diner Franchise

Black Bear Diner is a family-oriented, bear-themed casual dining franchise founded in 1995 in Mount Shasta, California. It is known for its home-style comfort food with generous portions, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings in a rustic, welcoming environment. With over 150 locations across 14 states, including 91 franchise-owned restaurants, Black Bear Diner has grown steadily since franchising began in 2002. The brand emphasizes community connection, nostalgic dining experiences, and consistent quality, making it a popular destination for families and travelers. Its expansion plans aim to become a coast-to-coast brand, with new markets like Florida and Texas under consideration, supported by a strong development pipeline and private equity investment from GreyLion Capital.

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Why buy a Black Bear Diner Franchise?

Investing in Black Bear Diner offers entry into a well-established, fast-growing family dining franchise with a distinctive brand and loyal customer base. The proven business model delivers strong financial returns, with average gross sales around $2.68 million and EBITDA near $400,000 per location. Comprehensive training and marketing support reduce startup risks, while ongoing expansion and private equity backing position the brand for long-term success. The focus on community and comfort food creates resilience in varying economic climates, making it a compelling franchise opportunity.

Black Bear Diner Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1995

    • Franchising Since

      2002

    • New Startup Cost

      $1,495,700 – $2,238,600

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $24,000 – $55,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

    • Royalty Fee

      4.50%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      1%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      169

    • New Units Opened *

      7

    • Units Transferred *

      3

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $2,820,694

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Black Bear Diner – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Black Bear Diner offers comprehensive franchisee support including 320 hours of on-the-job training, assistance with site selection, restaurant design, grand openings, and ongoing operational guidance. Marketing support includes cooperative advertising, social media, SEO, and email marketing. Franchisees benefit from proprietary software, purchasing co-ops, and a franchisee intranet platform. The brand does not allow absentee ownership or part-time operation, requiring active franchisee involvement.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Black Bear Diner franchisee is a hands-on operator with a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and $500,000 in liquid capital. They should be committed to maintaining high operational standards and managing a sizable team (approximately 65 employees). Franchisees who value community engagement and have experience in restaurant management will thrive in this growing brand.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Black Bear Diner is recognized for its strong brand reputation, consistent growth, and low franchise failure rate (5% vs. industry average 11%). It is praised for its community-centric approach and robust financial performance, with median sales exceeding $2.5 million per location.

  4. Industry / Market

    The casual dining segment continues to grow, driven by consumer demand for comfort food and family-friendly dining experiences. Black Bear Diner’s focus on oversized portions and nostalgic appeal aligns with market trends favoring hearty, value-driven meals. Its 4% year-over-year unit growth outpaces the industry average, supported by expansion into new states and sustained consumer loyalty.

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