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What’s next for Black Bear Diner with new CEO Anita Adams at the helm?What’s next for Black Bear Diner with new CEO Anita Adams at the helm?

Anita Adams was just promoted from president to CEO of Black Bear Diner: Here’s what that means for the family-dining restaurant chain

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 9, 2020

4 Min Read
black bear diner Anita Adams interview
Anita Adams is now CEO of Black Bear Diner.Black Bear Diner

Joanna Fantozzi

Black Bear Diner — the 138-unit, Redding, Calif.-based family-dining brand — just announced its latest executive change: the promotion of Anita Adams from president and former chief financial officer to CEO. The company also announced that restaurant veteran Jeff Guido would be joining the team as chief operating officer.

black-bear-diner-ceo-anita-adams_0.jpgAdams, left, is replacing Black Bear Diner co-founder Bruce Dean, who will take on an executive chairman role instead. She inherits a brand that’s entering its 25th year as one of the few family-dining players experiencing positive momentum. In 2019, Black Bear Diner’s sales increased by 16% to $291.6 million, with about 20% unit growth annually. 

With Adams at the helm, here’s what to expect next for the ...

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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