A national comfort food chain with more than 100 locations around the country will open its first San Diego branch later this year. Black Bear Diner is planning on opening two outposts in America's Finest City.
Based out of Redding, CA, Black Bear Diner was founded by Bruce Dean and Bob & Laurie Mannley in 1995. The chain of "old fashioned" American country diners currently has more than 120 locations in 12 states. Last year, Black Bear Diner announced it had signed a multi-unit development agreement with its existing franchise partners, Karan Gogri and Sanjiv Patel of National Restaurant Inc., that will result in an additional 19 units over a six-year period including two locations planned for San Diego.
The first San Diego location of Black Bear Diner will open at the 7,000 square-foot building that was previously a Coco's at 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Like other branches of the chain, the restaurant will offer a rustic motif with bear decor dotted all over the restaurant, including the signature 12-foot-tall black bear carving by artist Ray Schulz that greets customer of every location. The menu will mimic the style of old newspapers, even titled The Black Bear Gazette with articles on the front page, and will offer a huge array of dishes including breakfast, burgers, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts and shakes. The El Cajon location will also offer a selection of beer and wine.
After opening the first restaurant later this year, Black Bear Diner will seek to find a space to launch a second location in San Diego. For more information, visit blackbeardiner.com.
