Black Bear Diner, a family dining brand based in Redding, Calif., added its first chief people officer on Tuesday. Tammy Johns joins the homey restaurant brand after 25 years in the restaurant industry, including roles as chief people officer at quick-service burger chain Farmer Boys Foods Inc. and VP of human resources at Lemonade Restaurant Group. Johns will report directly to Black Bear Diner president and CFO Anita Adams.
“We’re excited for the depth of experience and leadership that Tammy brings to Black Bear Diner as we execute against our accelerated growth plans,” said Adams in a statement. “I look forward to the impact she will have on our organization as we continue to build out a best-in-class leadership team.”
Black Bear Diner operates 131 locations in 13 states. Twelve of those units were opened in 2019 and an additional eight units are scheduled to open by year’s end. The rustic, comfort-food-focused brand was named one of NRN’s fastest-growing chains in 2018. The company prides itself on its ability to open new units quickly and efficiently by converting distressed restaurant units into Black Bear Diners.
In the latest fiscal year, Black Bear saw a sales increase of 16% to $291.6 million, according to NRN’s Top 200 research.
“I am very excited to join the team of dedicated team members and franchisees at Black Bear Diner,” said Johns in a statement. “The people-first culture at Black Bear Diner is an environment that fits my philosophy of happy employees, happy guests! I am honored to work with this team of executives to foster unit growth while ensuring a best-in-class people culture. You really cannot have one without the other."
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