Bear Family McDonald's

01/08/2026

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀

For nearly six decades, our family had the privilege of serving our communities through Bear Family Restaurants.

While this page will now go quiet, our story continues through BFRx Hospitality — with the same values, heart, and commitment to community.

Thank you for being part of the journey. ♥

01/07/2026

❤️ Same Heart. Just a New Name.

As Bear Family Restaurants begins a new chapter, our commitment to community continues. Over the past year, our team proudly gave back through volunteer efforts, community partnerships, and financial support for local organizations.

We invite you to follow BFRx Hospitality to stay connected as we continue serving our communities in new ways.

Thank you for being part of our story. 💛

12/15/2025

𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀

Today, we are sharing an important update about the future of our organization. On December 16, 2025, ownership of the final 25 McDonald’s restaurants operated by Bear Family Restaurants will transition to new franchise owners. Throughout 2025, we have been divesting ownership of our McDonald’s portfolio, which at its peak included 35 restaurants, with transitions completed in April, September, and December.

All restaurants will remain open, and our incredible crews will continue serving the communities they know and love.

For nearly six decades, our family has been honored to serve you — our guests, neighborhoods, schools, and community partners. We are deeply grateful for every connection and every moment shared.

Although we will no longer operate McDonald’s locations, our story is far from over. We will continue our work through BFRx Hospitality, carrying forward the same mission that has guided us from the beginning: Serve with Significance.

In November, we announced our first new venture under BFRx — a multi-unit partnership with K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, bringing their award-winning pet hospitality experience to the Chicagoland area. We look forward to exploring new opportunities that continue to uplift people, families, and communities.

Read the full announcement here: https://www.bfr-x.com/media

Thank you for being part of our journey — past, present, and future. The best is yet to come.

12/12/2025

𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 & 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

On Wednesday night, we came together as one big Bear Family to celebrate the season, reflect on a strong year, and recognize the people who make our restaurants — and our communities — so special. It was a night full of great food, laughter, and well-deserved recognition.

🐻 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐳 🐻

The Bear Award is our most prestigious honor, and it is not awarded every year — only when someone truly embodies the heart of Bear Family Restaurants. This year, that person was Julio Vasquez, Maintenance Associate.

Julio is kind, patient, dependable, and endlessly generous with his time and talents. He goes above and beyond — not because he’s asked to, but because he genuinely cares. He is always willing to answer the call, find a solution, and do whatever it takes to keep our restaurants running smoothly.

Julio was a unanimous and undisputed choice, earning a consensus vote from our executive leadership team. When his name was announced, the room erupted in heartfelt applause — a true reflection of how loved and respected he is by everyone. ♥

👏 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 👏

• Best Service Times: Martha Cruz (Buffalo Grove)
• Most Improved Service Times: Patricia Rodriguez (Niles)
• Best Guest Satisfaction Score: Manuela Rios (Elgin – St. Charles Rd)
• Most Improved Guest Satisfaction Scores: Scott Hillman Ramirez (Elk Grove Village)
• Best Staffing & Retention: Martha Cruz (Buffalo Grove)
• Best Food Over Base: Angie Hurtado (Hoffman Estates – Roselle Rd)
• Best Profit-After-Controllables: Julia Luna (Elgin – Larkin Ave)

We also celebrated the many team members who earned bonuses for meeting and exceeding their goals this year. We are incredibly grateful for each and every member of our Bear Family. 🥰

12/10/2025

✨ The Season of Joy is officially underway at Bear Family Restaurants! 🎄

Our teams kicked off spirit week with candy cane stripes, cozy winter gear, and the best holiday sweaters around — spreading smiles to guests every step of the way. ❤️

Thank you to our incredible employees for bringing joy and heart to our restaurants every day. Here’s to even more festive fun in the days ahead! 💙🎁

12/04/2025

If you haven’t already, be sure to follow our new page BFRx Hospitality! 🐾

As the Bear Family expands into the pet hospitality space with K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, we’re currently selecting our first Chicagoland locations — and all updates will be shared there.

David and Nicole Bear, operators of more than two dozen McDonald’s, signed an eight-unit agreement with the high-end dog daycare concept in and around where they reside in suburban Chicago.

12/02/2025

🎄💚 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬! 💚🎄

He’s baaack…and he brought Dill Pickle McShaker Fries with him!

For a limited time, you can enjoy:
🍔 A Big Mac or 10-pc Chicken McNuggets
🍟 Dill Pickle McShaker Fries
🥤 A medium soft drink

And yes — every meal comes with a pair of Grinch-themed socks while supplies last!

Swing by your local Bear Family McDonald's and add a little mischief to your holidays. 🎁✨

12/01/2025

Huge shout-out to Patty and our amazing Niles Team for knocking out a massive order for Saint Juliana School! 🍔🍟

248 cheeseburgers, 44 hamburgers, and 363 6-pc McNuggets — talk about teamwork in action!

We’re grateful for the chance to serve our community and proud of our crew for handling it with speed, accuracy, and a smile. Way to go, team! 👏❤️

11/27/2025

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 🧡

Today and every day, we are thankful for the incredible team members who pour their heart into our restaurants.

Your dedication, your care, and the way you show up for our guests and communities — it’s what makes Bear Family Restaurants truly special.

𝗧𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺: thank you for your hard work, your resilience, and the countless moments of service that often go unseen but never go unappreciated.

𝗧𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲: thank you for choosing our restaurants, for supporting our team, and for being part of our story.

We wish everyone a safe, happy, and restful Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love most. 🦃✨

Holiday Hours for our locations -> https://bearfamilyrestaurants.com/holiday/

11/26/2025

Recently, we were honored to support Anderson Humane with a special delivery. 🐾💙

Long-time volunteer James McManamon joined Diane Dilbert to present the beautiful crate blankets she hand-made for the animals in their care.

We are incredibly grateful for volunteers who pour their hearts into helping animals feel safe, warm, and loved. As we continue growing our partnership with Anderson Humane through our new K9 Resorts journey, we look forward to supporting even more meaningful work that makes a difference.