IPO Edge and the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association hosted a fireside chat at the 2022 ICR Conference with the CEO of Black Bear Diner to discuss operations and growth, off-premise options, franchise partnerships, and the support of the Black Bear Diner team in the face of the Covid pandemic. The event featured Black Bear Diner CEO Anita Adams joined by IPO Edge Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks in a moderated video session lasting approximately 15 minutes.
Watch the highlight video below (or click the link underneath to see the entire event):
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL REPLAY
About Black Bear Diner
Black Bear Diner is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country. Founded in 1995 by Bruce Dean and Bob Manley in Mt. Shasta, California, Black Bear Diner brings home-style comfort food classics and personal service to the dining experience. The quickly growing family dining concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offers a vast, enticing menu anchored in hearty portions and excellent value, with service rooted in genuine hospitality.
The franchise now operates 143 locations in 14 states and growing. Black Bear Diner has been consistently recognized for its significant growth and outstanding performance – Winner of FSR Magazine’s 2021 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Legacy Brand, Top 10 Customer Service Winner, Top 10 Fastest-Growing Chain and Top Disruptor from Nation’s Restaurant News. Franchise Times has called Black Bear Diner one of the “smartest-growing brands” in the country. The company is a disruptor in the family-dining segment for its growth and performance and will continue to focus on serving home-style comfort food classics and bringing personal service back to the dining industry as the brand continues to execute its expansion plan.
Ms. Adams discussed:
- Operations and growth
- Off-Premise options
- Franchise partnerships
- Resilient and supportive team in the face of Covid-19
About the Speaker:
Anita Adams assumed the Chief Executive Officer role at Black Bear Diner in January 2020. She joined the company in March 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President in March 2019. Anita has more than 25 years of experience across private and public companies with broad transaction experience. Prior to joining the company, she was the Chief Financial Officer of American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC (2009 – 2017) and part of the executive team that grew the business from $400m of revenue to $1.2 billion, managing 5 restaurant brands and a bakery operation. Her experience includes multi-unit & multi-branded organization, merger and acquisition, debt financing and treasury management, restructuring, public accounting, information technology and board and investor relations.
Prior to American Blue Ribbon Holdings LLC, Anita was the Vice President – Controller of VICORP Restaurants, Inc. from 2006 through March 2009. From April 2001 to October 2006, Anita was employed by First Data Corporation, Inc., a Fortune 200 global financial services company generating over $10 billion in annual revenue, most recently as the Vice President of Corporate Accounting. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and held other Controller positions prior to First Data Corporation. Anita holds an active Certified Public Accountant license in the State of Colorado.
Contact:
Alan Hatfield, Director of Research
Twitter: @IPOEdge
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