Our story began in 1967, when Jerry and Marcelle Bear opened their first McDonald’s restaurant in Elgin, Illinois. With a handful of employees and an unwavering commitment to integrity and service, they built more than a business — they built a reputation for care and community.

Over the decades, the Bear Family name became synonymous with excellence, generosity, and the belief that success means lifting others along the way.

What started as one family’s dream soon grew into a legacy of leadership, inspiring generations to serve with purpose and heart. Under the leadership of David and Nicole Bear, that same spirit of service expanded beyond restaurants — growing from a handful of locations into one of the region’s most respected franchise organizations.

Today, those principles continue to guide every new chapter of growth as BFRˣ Hospitality evolves beyond restaurants and into new industries where hospitality, quality, and care remain at the heart of everything we do.

----- K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel -----

BFRˣ Hospitality is proud to bring K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel — the nation’s premier name in luxury dog boarding and daycare — to the Chicagoland area.
Renowned for its exceptional standards of care, cleanliness, and comfort, K9 Resorts combines five-star hospitality with genuine love for every guest.

As lifelong dog owners and advocates for quality care, David and Nicole Bear saw in K9 Resorts an opportunity to extend hospitality to every member of the family — including the four-legged ones.

Locations are currently in development, with opening dates to be announced soon.

BFRx Hospitality

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BFRx Hospitality

Org chart

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