Name: Art Kilmer
New title: Chief Operations Officer, Black Bear Diner
Previous title: Chief Operations Officer, P.F. Chang’s
Kilmer has over 20 years of restaurant experience and succeeds Jeff Guido, who retired on Aug. 14, according to a press release. Kilmer has overseen various departments throughout his career, including operations, supply chain, training and development, culinary innovation, marketing and franchise development.
In his most recent position at P.F. Chang’s, Kilmer oversaw more than 200 domestic restaurants and worked with 95 international and airport franchises. Kilmer spent a total of 24 years at P.F. Chang’s and also held the roles of regional vice president and market partner, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked at Steak and Ale Restaurants for over 13 years.
Kilmer’s experience will help Black Bear Diner enhance its operations while preserving the restaurants’ community atmosphere in alignment with the brand’s growth strategy, Anita Adams, CEO of Black Bear Diner, said in a statement.
“His passion for the restaurant industry and commitment to exceptional guest experiences make him an ideal fit for our team as we continue to expand and serve more communities,” Adams said.
Black Bear Diner has 160 locations in the U.S., including three recently opened restaurants in Texas, and is planning additional expansion. To supplement its traditional locations, the chain has been opening units in TravelCenters of America facilities. The company is working toward recapturing its pre-pandemic growth rate and originally planned for 14 openings this year with new markets in its sights for next year, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
Black Bear is also adding more operational efficiencies to its full-service restaurant format. Its newest Texas locations, for example, incorporate design changes such as reduced square footage while still maintaining a “spacious dining room.” A reduced footprint of about 4,600 square feet opens up additional real estate options, which could help accelerate Black Bear Diner’s growth. Its traditional restaurants can be as large as 6,400 square feet.
