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![]() Black Bear Diner in Vallejo, California | |
Black Bear Diner | |
Company type | Private |
Industry | Restaurants Franchising |
Founded | 1995 |
Founder |
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Headquarters | , U.S. |
Number of locations | 161 |
Owner | Bruce Dean |
Website | blackbeardiner.com |
BBDI LLC., doing business as Black Bear Diner, is a restaurant chain in the Western United States which serves homestyle and "old-fashioned" comfort foods. Black Bear Diner has 166 locations in 14 states as of August 2025. [2]
The first restaurant was opened in Mount Shasta, California [3] in 1995, founded by Bruce Dean and Bob & Laurie Manley. [1] The company is based in Redding, California.
The company's leadership announced plans to be a "coast to coast" brand in January 2024. [4]
Each Black Bear Diner location has decor with a rustic motif and "over-the-top bear paraphernalia." [5] Every restaurant is decorated with a 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) black bear carving by artist Ray Schulz. Additional murals and artwork are created for each restaurant by Steve and Gary Fitzgerald and Colleen Mitchell-Veyna. [1]
Black Bear Diner offers family meals such as breakfast, burgers, salads, and shakes. [6] Baked goods prepared on site are offered, and some locations offer alcohol sales, provided the customer is at least 21. [7]
The menu format mimics an old newspaper titled The Black Bear Gazette, with articles on the front page. The children's menu is similarly styled with the title The Beary Tale Times and features children's activities. [3]