Title: President
Company: Bear Family Restaurants
Location: South Elgin, Illinois, United States
David Bear, President at Bear Family Restaurants, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Hospitality.
Mr. Bear, a distinguished hospitality expert, has achieved over 30 years of success in his leading role as the president of Bear Family Restaurants. Initially established by his parents, the two purchased their first restaurant from McDonald’s Corporation in 1967. The organization now owns and operates over 35 locations throughout the Chicago area.
Since 1991, Mr. Bear has been responsible for overseeing every McDonald’s location owned by his family, generating approximately $130 million in annual sales. His team comprises 1,500 employees, including administrative staff, support teams, operations directors, supervisors, maintenance teams and technology specialists. Among his primary career objectives, Mr. Bear focuses on the strategic vision for the organization’s future and engaging in strategic planning sessions with executives for the upcoming year.
Throughout his tenure with Bear Family Restaurants, Mr. Bear has garnered tremendous success, growing the restaurant chain from just four locations when he joined his parents to what it is today. The substantial expansion is a testament to his hard work, dedication and expertise in the industry.
Mr. Bear earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Northwestern University in 1990. His education has been pivotal to his success as a prominent business professional. Beyond his degree, Mr. Bear has remained at the forefront of his industry as a member of the McDonald’s Franchise Organization and as the board chair for the National Owners Association since 2023.
Civically active, Mr. Bear and his team at Bear Family Restaurants frequently volunteer for local events that support various charities. He is also the co-founder of the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, alongside his parents and is active in his synagogue. Giving back to a community that has given him so much over the years is truly inspiring.
Lauded for his work ethic, Mr. Bear has been awarded numerous times, beginning in 2006 when the Business Ledger honored him with an Annual Award for Business Excellence. Subsequently, he received an Illinois Family Business of the Year Award for Community Service from the Family Business Center, Quinlan School of Business, at Loyola University in 2013 as the first family business to receive this honor. In 2017, Mr. Bear’s company received recognition from the State of Illinois 100th General Assembly House of Representatives for 50 years of dedication to being active and socially responsible members of every community they serve. Among other accolades, he received a Ronald Award from McDonald’s Corporation in 2018.
Throughout his tenure in the industry, Mr. Bear has fostered a very inclusive environment where every employee feels a sense of purpose. This philosophy has been instrumental in his success and ability to attract and retain talented individuals who are constantly inspired to come to work each day. As an active mentor in many of his employees’ daily lives, Mr. Bear hopes to witness them as they excel in their professional roles.
As he prepares for the future of Bear Family Restaurants, Mr. Bear intends to continue collaborating with key employees while innovating and diversifying the business to reach a wider customer base.
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