Our Story/Founders
Our Story
Way back when we were just a couple of hungry guys with a big dream, we knew folks were looking for a restaurant rooted in something authentic… something real. And while there wasn’t much cash in our pockets, we had enough heart to cobble together our very first restaurant.
So we set to preparing home-cooked meals that reflected our small-town roots. We were used to a different kind of diner, where servers look you in the eye and smile when they take your order. Where the food tastes a lot like your grandma’s favorite recipes. And where you feel, every time you visit, like you’ve finally come home.
Nearly 30 years later, we’re still serving up the same genuine experience. Because at Black Bear Diner, we believe that timeless values like quality and personal service are still very much alive. So stop on by, and bring your appetite. We’ll set an extra plate.
Founders
Bruce Dean
Co-founder Bruce Dean, known for his operational management and business savvy, is Black Bear Diner’s Executive Chairman. He remains passionately engaged in Black Bear Diner’s food operations and menu economics, ensuring the promise to deliver “great food, great service, and great atmosphere.”
Dean leveraged his early restaurant career to establish Black Bear Diner as a family dining power player, creating recipes for some of the brand’s most popular and best-selling menu items, and is the visionary behind our “bear-sized” portions — the commitment to deliver unrivaled comfort food value and portions to our guests.
Dean earned a B.S. degree in business administration from the University of California, Davis, and currently serves on the board of the California Restaurant Association.
Bob Manley
Bob Manley, co-founder, was instrumental in developing Black Bear Diner’s cozy, friendly atmosphere. He is a visionary, dreamer, and storyteller with a commitment to human kindness and a never-ending sense of humor that has left an indelible mark on Black Bear Diner’s culture. Manley currently serves on the Board of Directors and continues to share his passion for the brand.
Before Black Bear Diner, Manley was an educator and owned the Black Bear Gallery in Mt. Shasta, CA, and served as a wilderness guide. To this day, he wears a lucky bear claw around his neck, earned from one memorable wilderness encounter.
Manley graduated from California State University, Chico, with a degree in speech pathology.
