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5 ways Black Bear Diner is shaking up family dining5 ways Black Bear Diner is shaking up family dining

Black Bear Diner CEO Anita Adams discusses how the brand built positive momentum in an increasingly stagnant segment

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 17, 2020

6 Min Read
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When you think of a family-dining scene, you might envision booths stuffed with parents and kids, surrounded by piles of pancakes and decor that has been largely unchanged over the years. Black Bear Diner wants to change that image.

The fast-growing brand is veering away from some of the hallmarks of the category, including heavy discounting, to focus on creating lively mountain lodge-themed dining rooms that encourage guests to unplug and connect over a broad menu ranging from omelets to steaks.

So far it appears to be working.

The Redding, Calif.-based chain is one of few bright spots in an increasingly stagnant category. The family-dining segment saw U.S. sales grow just 1.7% in the Latest Year, from $15.9 billion to $16.2 billion in 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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