David Bear is a second-generation McDonald’s Franchise Licensee and President of Bear Family Restaurants; currently operating 35 McDonald’s Restaurants in the Chicago suburbs. The Bear family purchased their very first restaurant in Elgin, Illinois in 1967. Over the past 55 years, the Bear family has been committed to serving with significance in every community which their restaurants are located.

Over the years, the Bear Family organization has been recognized for operational excellence, superior people practices, leadership and vision, and community service. They are two- time recipients of the Ronald Award and the LEO (Leading Edge Operator Award). More notably, in 2013, the Bear Family was recognized as the Illinois Family Business of the Year for Community Service. This was the first time the highly coveted recognition was awarded to a McDonald’s Franchisee.