Why MKR stars were forced to change restaurant name

Fraser Coast MKR stars Dan and Steph have changed their restaurant name from Black Bear to The Bear, and the duo have told the Chronicle why.

Fraser Coast MKR stars Dan and Steph have changed their restaurant name from ‘Black Bear’ to ‘The Bear,’ and the duo tells the Chronicle why.

Local My Kitchen Rules (MKR) stars Dan and Steph Mulheron have changed the name of their restaurant, formerly called Black Bear.

However, the reason for the name change earlier this month is apparently “a lot less interesting” than people may assume.

Dan and Steph received an email from another restaurant’s solicitor from New South Wales, stating they want to trademark the name, and they weren’t the only restaurant in Australia who got the letter.

Picture: Isabella Magee

“It wasn’t personal at all ... (the man who now owns the business name) had been advised by his solicitors to trademark it because he wanted bigger and better things, which is understandable ... and there are 25 other businesses in Australia that also have to change their name,” Mr Mulheron told the Chronicle.

“Obviously, we’ve got all the retail merchandise and stuff that we that we sell here, and (the man who now owns the business name) is more than happy for us to run that out before we have to change it, so apart from a few signage changes, that’s about it.”

Dan and Steph Mulheron have a new show on Channel 7, with the first episode starring Hervey Bay. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Steph said she hadn’t thought about putting a trademark on the name, and the couple “just want to do the right thing”.

“I suppose it was a bit of a rookie error by us, we didn’t even think to trademark the name,” Steph said.

“We actually always referred to it as ‘The Bear’ so we felt it was a simple and easy change, it’s the same great loaded food, service, just a shorter name!”

Picture: Isabella Magee

The rebranding was done over a week in June when Dan and Steph were busy cooking up something else.

Launching their new show on Channel 7 called Travel and EAT with Dan and Steph, which went to air last Saturday, the first episode showcasing the beautiful Fraser Coast and The Bear.

“Basically, the show is about showcasing where our food comes from so everyone has more understanding of where it comes from and what goes into getting that produce from Farm to Market,” Dan said.

Originally published as Why MKR stars were forced to change restaurant name