View source for Big Boy Restaurants

{{Short description|American restaurant chain}}
{{About|the overall restaurant chain system|the original California restaurant chain|Bob's Big Boy|the Ohio-based regional restaurant chain|Frisch's Big Boy}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Big Boy Restaurant Group, LLC
| trade_name = Big Boy, Big Boy Restaurants
| image = File:Big Boy Logo 2022.svg
| alt = Big Boy logo
| image_size = 220px
| image_caption = Logo as of 2020
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| predecessors = Big Boy Restaurants International, LLC<br />Bob's Pantry<br />Elias Brothers Restaurants, Inc.<br />[[Marriott Corporation]]<br />Robert C. Wian Enterprises
| founder = [[Bob Wian]]
| area_served = {{Unbulleted list|
*Michigan
*California (as [[Bob's Big Boy]])
*Wisconsin 
*Ohio
*Nevada
*North Dakota
*<small>'''Outside of US'''</small>
*Thailand<ref name="Selasky 2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2019/08/09/big-boy-pasquales-royal-oak-woodward/1965268001/ |title=Pasquale's site in Royal Oak to become home to Big Boy, possibly Buddy's Pizza|last=Selasky|first=Susan|date=August 9, 2019|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810032708/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2019/08/09/big-boy-pasquales-royal-oak-woodward/1965268001/|archive-date=August 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
*<small>'''Independent'''</small>
* Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio (as [[Frisch's|Frisch's Big Boy]])
*Japan (as Big Boy Japan)<ref name="Frank 2019a" /><ref name="BigBoyJapanUnits">{{cite web |url=http://www.bigboyjapan.co.jp/company |title = About Us |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=Big Boy Japan |access-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref>}}
| key_people = {{plain list|
*Tamer Afr (CEO, 2020–present)
*David B. Crawford (CEO, 2018–2020)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180213/news/652851/big-boy-promotes-david-crawford-as-permanent-ceo|title=Big Boy promotes David Crawford as permanent CEO|last=Clifford|first=Tyler|date=February 13, 2018|work=Crain's Detroit Business|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215100606/http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180213/news/652851/big-boy-promotes-david-crawford-as-permanent-ceo|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
*Bruce Ferguson (CFO)
*Robert Liggett Jr. (Chairman, 2000–2018)<ref name="Frank 2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/obituaries/radio-entrepreneur-former-big-boy-owner-robert-liggett-dies|title=Radio entrepreneur, former Big Boy owner Robert Liggett dies|last=Frank|first=Annalise|date=July 15, 2019|work=Crain's Detroit Business|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723095706/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/obituaries/radio-entrepreneur-former-big-boy-owner-robert-liggett-dies|archive-date=July 23, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Frank 2019a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/big-boy-looks-bounce-back-under-new-ownership|title=Big Boy looks to bounce back under new ownership|last=Frank|first=Annalise|date=August 11, 2019|work=Crain's Detroit Business|access-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811072817/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/big-boy-looks-bounce-back-under-new-ownership|archive-date=August 11, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
}}
| locations = 61 (2025)<ref>{{cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.bigboy.com/all-locations |website=Big Boy Restaurants |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
| industry = [[Casual dining]] [[restaurant]] [[Franchising]]
| products = {{plain list|
*Big Boy hamburger
*Brawny Lad sandwich
*Hot Fudge Cake
*Slim Jim sandwich
*[[Strawberry pie]]
*Fish and Chips
}}
| homepage = {{URL|bigboy.com}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1936|08|06}} (as Bob's Pantry)<br/>[[Glendale, California]], U.S.<ref name="DriveIns">{{cite news |first=Barbara |last=Slavin |title=Drive-ins and carhops are things of the past |newspaper=The Day |location=New London, CT |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19780809&id=OqpGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1364,1510484&hl=en |page=5 |agency=The New York Times Service|date=August 9, 1978 |access-date=April 14, 2015 }}</ref>
| location = [[Southfield, Michigan]], United States
}}

'''Big Boy''' is an American [[casual dining]] restaurant [[chain store|chain]] headquartered in [[Southfield, Michigan]]; it is currently operated in most of the United States by '''Big Boy Restaurant Group, LLC'''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title="Big Boy" |url=http://www.bigboy.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209015806/https://www.bigboy.com/ |archive-date=2021-12-09 |website=Big Boy Restaurants}}</ref> The Big Boy name, design aesthetic, and menu were previously licensed to [[Big Boy named franchisees|a number of named regional franchisees]].  The parent [[Franchising|franchisor]] company has changed over the system's lifetime: it was [[Bob's Big Boy]] from 1936 to 1967, then [[Marriott Corporation]] until 1987, then [[Big Boy named franchisees#Elias Brothers|Elias Brothers' Big Boy]] until 2000. Since 2001, control of the trademark in the United States has been split into two territories, between Big Boy Restaurants in most of the country, and [[Frisch's Big Boy]] as an independent entity in a few states in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]]. 

As of May 2025, Big Boy Restaurant Group operates 55 total locations in the United States: 51 "Big Boy" branded restaurants in Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, and Ohio; 6 formerly as “Dolly’s Burgers and Shakes” in Frisch’s territory before shuttering them in late October 2025; and four additional locations in California branded as "Bob's Big Boy".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.bigboy.com/all-locations |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Big Boy}}</ref> One Big Boy location also operates in Thailand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://bigboyasia.com/locations/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Big Boy Thailand}}</ref> Frisch's operates 31 Big Boy restaurants in the United States, of which 13 are franchised.<ref>...

* {{Cite web |last=Applegate |first=Ryan |date=2025-02-21 |title=Frisch’s thrives as a community staple |url=https://www.peoplesdefender.com/2025/02/20/frischs-thrives-as-a-community-staple/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=People's Defender |language=en-US}}
* {{cite web |title=Big Boy Restaurant & Bakery/Frisch's Big Boy |url=http://nrn.com/top-100/big-boy-restaurant-bakeryfrischs-big-boy |access-date=June 15, 2015 |website=Nation's Restaurant News |quote=The Big Boy system has restaurants operated by and franchised to others by Big Boy Restaurants International LLC and Frisch's Restaurants Inc. ... Headquarters: Big Boy Restaurants International LLC – Warren, Mich./Frisch's Restaurants Inc. – Cincinnati, Ohio ... CEO: Big Boy International – Keith Sirois/Frisch's – Craig F. Maier}}
* ''[http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/ttabvue-94002189-CNU-25.pdf Order of United States Patent and Trademark Office, Concurrent Use Proceeding Number 94002189]'', Big Boy Restaurants International, LLC and Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. August 18, 2009.
* {{Cite news |last=Setters |first=Andrew |date=June 6, 2018 |title=Here's what's different about the Fountain Square Frisch's |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/heres-whats-different-about-the-fountain-square-frischs/21097468 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609061337/http://www.wlwt.com/article/heres-whats-different-about-the-fountain-square-frischs/21097468 |archive-date=June 9, 2018 |access-date=June 9, 2018 |work=WLWT |language=en}}
* {{Cite news |last=Key |first=Jennie |date=August 27, 2018 |title=A Green Township Frisch's closes its doors |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/green-township/2018/08/27/frischs-closes-green-township-location/1108763002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904044123/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/green-township/2018/08/27/frischs-closes-green-township-location/1108763002/?from=new-cookie |archive-date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=September 4, 2018 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |language=en}}</ref><ref name="frischunits">{{cite press release |title=Frisch's Restaurants Announces Transaction with Affiliate of NRD Partners I, L.P. at $34 Per Share |date=May 22, 2015 |publisher=Frisch's Restaurants |location=Cincinnati |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frischs-restaurants-announces-transaction-with-affiliate-of-nrd-partners-i-lp-at-34-per-share-300087675.html |quote=Agreement Contemplates Continued Operation of all 95 Company Owned Frisch's Restaurants along with 26 Franchised Locations |access-date=May 28, 2015 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |agency=PR Newswire}}</ref> Big Boy Japan, also independent of Big Boy Restaurant Group, operates 274 restaurants in [[Japan]].<ref name="Frank 2019a" /><ref name="BigBoyJapanUnits" /><ref name="zensho">{{cite web |url=http://www.zensho.co.jp/en/group/fr/bb.html |title=Zensho Group: Big Boy, Hamburger Steak & Grill Restaurant |website=Zénsho Holdings Company |access-date=December 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009151203/http://www.zensho.co.jp/en/group/fr/bb.html|archive-date=October 9, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Big Boy hamburger}}

==Food==
===The Big Boy hamburger===
[[File:Three-Big-Boy-hamburgers.png|thumb|300px|alt=Frisch's Big Boy hamburger and other versions|An illustration showing how Big Boy hamburgers are assembled. The original version developed by Bob Wian (left) has mayonnaise and red relish (a combination of pickle relish, ketchup and chili sauce). Frisch's version (right) replaces them with tartar sauce and dill pickles, and applies them in a different order. The worldwide Big Boy system version (center) instead uses a thousand island-type dressing advertised as "Big Boy special sauce".|left]]

The signature Big Boy hamburger is the original double-deck hamburger.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Burgers - Big Boy |url=http://www.bigboy.com/food/burgers/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409021634/http://www.bigboy.com/food/burgers/ |archive-date=April 9, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017 |work=Big Boy |language=en-US}}</ref>

The novel hamburger started as a joke. In February 1937, some local [[big band]] musicians, who were regular customers of Bob's Pantry, visited the restaurant. When ordering, bass player Stewie Strange asked,  "How about something different, something ''special''?"{{r|"Lawrence 1958"}} [emphasis added].{{#tag:ref|Exactly which band was involved is unclear. Hansen said Strange was a member of the Chuck Foster Orchestra.{{r|"Hansen 2002"}} However, Rick Brough in ''The Newspaper'' ([[Park City, Utah]]) said Strange was a road musician with the Harry Lewis Dance Band.<ref name="Brough 1980">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16783491/|title=I tot I taw a puddy-tat!|last=Brough|first=Rick|date=June 26, 1980|work=The Newspaper|access-date=January 24, 2018|location=Park City, Utah|page=15|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Lawrence quoted Wian saying it was the Glendale High School Orchestra,{{r|"Lawrence 1958"}} while Searl quoted Wian simply saying it was a big band that Wian used to rehearse with.{{r|"Searl 1986"}}| group="note" }} Bob Wian improvised, creating the first (then unnamed) Big Boy, intending the thing "look ridiculous, like a leaning tower".{{r|"Lawrence 1958"}} Demand for "the special" soared but Wian sought a "snappy" name, which became Big Boy.{{r|"Lawrence 1958"}}{{#tag:ref|Some reports say the Big Boy was first called the Fat Boy hamburger until discovering Fat Boy was a protected trademark.<ref name="Sculle 2002" /><ref name="wiannrn">{{cite journal | last=Carlino | first=Bill | date=February 1996 | title=Bob Wian | url=http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/delivery?sid=40a97190-f02b-4bf7-bf97-d5b3cd19e345%40sessionmgr4001&vid=2&hid=4104 | journal=Nation's Restaurant News | volume=30 | issue=6 | pages=166 | access-date=April 14, 2014 }}</ref>| group="note" }} In 1938, the Big Boy hamburger cost 15¢{{r | "Hansen 2002" | p=156 }}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vintage famous Bob's Big Boy menu 1938 Burbank CA {{!}} #42474613 |url=http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-famous-bobs-big-boy-menu-1938-burbank |access-date=December 28, 2016 |website=WorthPoint}}</ref> ({{Inflation|US|0.15|1938|2018|fmt=eq|r=2}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Inflation Calculator |url=http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ |access-date=April 22, 2018 |website=US Inflation Calculator |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, the Big Boy cost $6.49 in Michigan.<ref>[http://www.bigboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Wyandotte-Carry-Out-B.pdf Big Boy take out menu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423033910/http://www.bigboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Wyandotte-Carry-Out-B.pdf|date=April 23, 2018}}. Wyandotte Big Boy. Retrieved April 22, 2018</ref>
Several slogans were used from the 1950s through the 1970s to promote the Big Boy hamburger, such as, "A Meal in One on a Double–Deck Bun" and "Twice as Big, Twice as Good". On menus from that period, it was called, "...the Nationally Famous, Original Double–Deck Hamburger...".

The Big Boy hamburger inspired and was the model for other double deck hamburgers. This includes McDonald's [[Big Mac]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallace |first=Amy |date=December 31, 1993 |title=The Big Mac: Americana on a sesame-seed bun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17220755/tallahassee_democrat/ |access-date=February 7, 2018 |work=Tallahassee Democrat |page=3A |edition=Other |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> [[Burger Chef]]'s Big Shef<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 26, 1979 |title=Burger Chef has something big for big appetites. Big Shef. [advertisement] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17141092/the_cincinnati_enquirer/ |access-date=February 4, 2018 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |page=E-12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and Burger King's [[Big King]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quirk |first=Mary Beth |date=November 5, 2013 |title=Burger King Resurrects Big Mac Clone, Complete With Third Bun |url=https://consumerist.com/2013/11/05/burger-king-resurrects-its-big-king-which-is-just-like-the-big-mac-but-who-cares/ |access-date=February 10, 2017 |website=Consumerist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Big King |url=http://burgerking.ca/menu-item/big-king |access-date=February 10, 2017 |website=Burger King (Canada) |language=en}}</ref>

The Big Boy consists of two thin beef patties placed on a three-layer bun with lettuce, a single slice of [[American cheese]], and either [[mayonnaise]] and red relish (a combination of sweet pickle [[relish]], [[ketchup]] and [[chili sauce]]),{{r|"Searl 1986"|p=D4}} Big Boy special sauce (often called [[thousand island dressing]]) or (at Frisch's, Manners and Azar's) [[tartar sauce]] on one or more layers of bun. (Regardless, the Big Boy condiment used was often simply referred to as "special sauce" on menus chainwide.) Wian used a sesame seed bun while Frisch's used a plain bun and included pickles.{{#tag:ref|Frisch's placed pickles above bun bottom, and Manners below the bun top.|group="note"}} The Big Boy hamburger originally called for a quarter pound (4&nbsp;ounces) of fresh ground beef, but later, franchisees were permitted to use frozen beef patties, and the minimum content reduced to a fifth of a pound to offset increasing food costs. Other specifications were exacting, such as the bun's bottom section being 1½&nbsp; inches high and the center section ¾&nbsp;inches, and 1½&nbsp; ounces of shredded lettuce used.<ref name="Tucson-franchise">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Mary |date=February 15, 1969 |title=Tucson To Tumwater: Tummy Teasers Are Twins |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-feb-15-1969-162204// |access-date=February 16, 2017 |newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen |via=newspaperarchive.com}}</ref>

Originally, the Big Boy hamburger was the only common menu item ''required'' of all Big Boy franchisees.<ref name="Tucson-franchise" />

===Other core menu items===
Just as Bob Wian's Big Boy hamburger was served by all franchises, the early franchises also contributed signature menu items. Frisch's provided the "Brawny Lad" and "Swiss Miss" hamburgers, Shoney's contributed the "Slim Jim" sandwich and Hot Fudge Ice Cream Cake, while [[Strawberry pie|Strawberry Pie]] was introduced by Eat'n Park. Hot Fudge Cake and Strawberry Pie remain popular dessert items chainwide but other items were not necessarily offered by all franchises, and franchises would sometimes change the item's name: The "Slim Jim" became the "Buddie Boy" at Frisch's, and [[Big Boy named franchisees#Elbys|Elby's]] renamed the "Swiss Miss" as the "Brawny Swiss".<ref name="Frisch menu">{{Cite news |title=Menu |url=http://www.frischs.com/menu/menu.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518051418/http://www.frischs.com/menu/menu.aspx |archive-date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016 |website=Frisch's Big Boy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 1983 |title=Elby's Specials This Week |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-jan-22-1983-43804/ |access-date=May 20, 2016 |newspaper=Altoona Mirror |location=Altoona, Pennsylvania |page=26 |via=[[newspaperarchive.com]]}}</ref> Similarly, when franchisees left Big Boy, they would typically rebrand the Big Boy hamburger: it became the "Superburger" (Eat'n Park),<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2007 |title=Buckeyes and Burgers -- A long, fulfilling relationship |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/lifestyles/2007/07/buckeyes_and_burgers_a_long_fu.html |access-date=May 21, 2016 |website=cleveland.com |quote=The closest might be the Superburger of Eat'n Park, which was once essentially the Manners of Pittsburgh, complete with carhops and franchised Big Boy.}}</ref> the "Buddy Boy" (Lendy's),<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 10, 1969 |title=Local Lendy's Gets Going |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-apr-10-1969-119897/ |access-date=November 10, 2016 |work=The Radford News Journal |page=2 |via=newspaperarchive.com |quote=Featured on the menu will be the famous "Buddy Boy" double-deck hamburger ...}}</ref> the "Big Ben" (Franklin's),<ref name="Big Ben">. . .

* {{Cite news |date=October 28, 1980 |title=Hey Kids! [Advertisement] |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-advertisement-clipping-oct-28-1980-118625/ |access-date=November 10, 2016 |work=The Doylestown Intelligencer |department=30 |via=newspaperarchive.com |quote=... receive a coupon redeemable at any future date for a free "Big Ben" double decker hamburger at any Franklin's ...}}
* {{Cite web |title=Menu image at Franklin's Family Restaurants Reunion |url=http://franklins-restaurants.blogspot.com/ |access-date=November 10, 2016 |website=franklins-restaurants.blogspot.com}}
* {{cite news |date=September 2, 1986 |title=20th Anniversary Specials [Advertisement] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15491769/franklins_big_ben_hamburger/ |access-date=November 30, 2017 |work=The Morning Call |location=Allentown PA |page=D6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the "Elby Double Deck hamburger" (Elby's).<ref>. . .

* {{Cite news |date=June 2, 1979 |title=Choose from a variety of 21 great sandwiches ... [Advertisement] |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-jun-02-1979-44112/ |access-date=November 10, 2016 |work=Dover Times Reporter |page=B5 |via=newspaperarchive.com |quote=Our Famous Elby Double Deck Hamburger Platter.}}
* {{Cite news |date=October 14, 1976 |title=Elby's 20th Birthday [Advertisement] |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-oct-14-1976-44118/ |access-date=November 10, 2016 |work=The Weirton Daily Times |page=16 |via=newspaperarchive.com |quote=Our Famous Elby's Big Boy Hamburger Platter.}}</ref>  Shoney's reintroduced the "Classic Double Decker", somewhat different than the Big Boy, about a decade after leaving.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1995 |title=Classic Comeback [Advertisement] |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-advertisement-clipping-sep-18-1995-119895/ |access-date=November 10, 2016 |work=Gettysburg Times |page=A10 |via=newspaperarchive.com |quote=Re-introducing Shoney's Classic Double Decker Burger Meal}}</ref>

Big Boy offers breakfast, burgers and sandwiches, salads, dinner combinations, and various desserts.<ref name="Frisch menu" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Food |url=http://www.bigboy.com/food/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514224955/http://www.bigboy.com/food/ |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016 |website=Big Boy |language=en-US}}</ref>
== The Big Boy mascot ==
[[File:Big Boy Logo Revised 2014.svg|right|thumb|Big Boy logo used from 1988 to 2020, featuring the Big Boy mascot and still seen at many locations]]
The chain is best known for its trademark chubby boy with a [[Pompadour (hairstyle)|pompadour hairstyle]] wearing red-and-white checkered overalls holding a Big Boy sandwich (double-decker [[cheeseburger]]). The inspiration for Big Boy's name, as well as the model for its mascot, was Richard Woodruff of [[Glendale, California]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Richard Woodruff Dies at 54; Model for 'Big Boy' Statues | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/28/obituaries/richard-woodruff-dies-at-54-model-for-big-boy-statues.html | newspaper=The New York Times | date=October 28, 1986 | access-date =October 3, 2012}}</ref> When he was six years old, Woodruff walked into the diner Bob's Pantry as Bob Wian was attempting to name his new hamburger. Wian said, "Hello, Big Boy" to Woodruff, and the name stuck. [[Warner Bros. Cartoons|Warner Bros.]] animation artist [[Ben Washam]] sketched Richard's [[caricature]], which became the character seen on the company trademark.{{#tag:ref|Shoes were added to Washam's bare-footed Big Boy sketch. | group="note"}}

In 1955, Bob Wian hired Manfred Bernhard, son of graphic designer [[Lucian Bernhard]],{{r|"Hansen 2002"|page=12}} to create a new [[corporate identity|public image]] for Big Boy.<ref name="Grantham 1996" /> Bernhard was not impressed with Washam's mascot, saying it was sloppy and had a moronic expression.<ref name="Grantham 1996" /> The "West Coast Big Boy" mascot was revised, [[fiberglass]] statues molded, schemes created for menus and building designs, and a comic book for children launched.

In 1951, Bob Wian's original franchisee Dave Frisch developed a slightly different Big Boy character. He was slimmer, wore a [[side cap]], [[saddle shoes]] and striped overalls. Having reddish or blonde hair, he was portrayed in a running pose.{{#tag:ref|"Big Boy" wasn't written on the chest of the East Coast mascot. It was written on the side cap in the comic book, but otherwise, it was written on the sleeve and the franchise name written on the side cap.| group="note" }} Known as the "East Coast Big Boy", he was copyrighted by Frisch's and used for statues and comic books for Frisch's, and its subfranchisees Manners and Azar's. Before 1954, Parkette ([[Shoney's]]) used both versions, though never together.<ref name="parkettelogo" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-mar-13-1953-34462/|title=Now your enjoy the famous Parkette Foods in downtown Charleston [advertisement]|date=March 13, 1953|work=Charleston Daily Mail|page=20|access-date=September 16, 2016|via=newspaperarchive.com}}</ref> Since 1956, the Wian "West Coast Big Boy" design was used exclusively by all franchisees other than Frisch's, Manners and Azar's. In the late 1960s, both characters were redrawn to appear similar, incorporating the checkered outfit, pompadour and hamburger above the raised arm from the West Coast design, and the running pose and direction of the East Coast design. In the 1980s, the hamburger was removed from the West Coast design; representing a de-emphasis of the hamburger in North American Big Boy restaurants, it also accommodated the Japanese Big Boy restaurants, which do not serve hamburgers on a bun.

In 1985, concerned that the Big Boy mascot had become dated, Marriott Corporation put its fate up for a public vote, which was overwhelmingly in favor of keeping it.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/green-sheet/2017/01/24/our-back-pages-when-they-locked-up-big-boy/96666878/|title= Our Back Pages: When they locked up Big Boy|date=January 24, 2017|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=August 22, 2025}}</ref>

===Big Boy statues===
<!-- logo image -->
[[File:Progression_of_Big_Boy_logos.png|thumb|alt=Changing Big Boy logos|upright=1.8| <big>'''The evolution of the Big Boy mascot'''</big>
{|
|-
|valign="top"|'''A&nbsp;'''
|''' 1937.''' The first Big Boy (left) was derived from a sketch by Warner Brothers animation artist Bennie Washam in 1937. A frequent customer, Washam doodled the character on a napkin for Bob Wian for a free lunch.<ref name=Animation2016 >{{cite web | url=http://animationresources.org/theory-big-boy-and-the-power-of-licensing-a-cautionary-tale/ | title=Theory: Big Boy and the Power of Licensing- A Cautionary Tale | last=Worth | first=Stephen | date=June 8, 2016 | website=Animation Resources | access-date=September 12, 2016 | quote= One day, animator Ben Washam was lunching at Wian's stand, doodling on placemats. Wian saw that he was a cartoonist and asked him to draw a caricature of Richard Woodruff, a chubby, apple cheeked boy who helped out at the stand sweeping up after school. Washam obliged, depicting the lad in oversized checkered overalls munching on a burger. Wian loved the doodle and gave Washam his lunch for free. Bennie gave the sketch to Wian to use as a mascot for the stand.}}</ref> The logo, redrawn holding a hamburger (right), was typically used by Wian and several early franchisees: Parkette (Shoney's),<ref name="parkettelogo">{{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-apr-14-1954-34466/|title=Springtime is Big Boy time [advertisement]|date=April 14, 1954|work=Charleston Daily Mail|page=8|access-date=September 16, 2016|via=newspaperarchive.com}}</ref> Elias Brothers<ref>. . .
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/05/how_well_do_you_remember_big_b.html#4|title=How well do you remember Big Boy restaurants?|website=Open Cleveland / The Plain Dealer|date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2016}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/hphistorical/status/609887449532207106|title=Elias Brothers Dixie Drive In menu|website=Hazel Park History|access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref> and [[#Frejlachs|Frejlach's]].<ref name="Frejlachs1954">{{cite news |date=October 7, 1954 |title=Big Boy Hamburger Now At Frejlach's |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-oct-07-1954-44171/ |access-date=September 30, 2012 |newspaper=Arlington Heights Herald |location=Arlington Heights, IL |page=12 |via=[[newspaperarchive.com]]}}</ref> The orientation was also reversed.
|-
|valign="top"|'''B'''
|''' 1952.''' Wian's first franchisee, David Frisch, developed his own Big Boy character. Dated 1952, the design was copyrighted in 1951 and became known as the East Coast Big Boy. He was the model for fiberglass statues used by Frisch's, and subfranchises Azar's and [[#Manners|Manners]]. This Big Boy varied between blond and reddish blond hair. Unlike West Coast designs (A) and (C), he held the hamburger in both hands and was always running to his left.
|-
|valign="top"|'''C'''
|''' 1956.''' This scheme introduced the modern Big Boy character and is the model for the iconic fiberglass statues. It replaced Wian's original figure (A), and was actually seen in 1955 Shoney's advertisements. Typically drawn with the hamburger atop his right arm, occasionally the hamburger was raised atop his left arm.<ref>. . .
* {{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-oct-25-1965-106289/|title=Bob's Big Boy advertisement|date=October 25, 1965|work=Press Telegram|location=Long Beach, CA|page=15|access-date=October 19, 2016|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-advertisement-clipping-jul-28-1958-83808/|title=A Big Boy Kiddies Special [Advertisement]|date=July 28, 1958|work=Bristol Daily Courier|location=Bristol, PA|access-date=September 13, 2016|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1957-EAT-N-PARK-BIG-BOY-MENU-OLD-RESTAURANT-HAMBURGER-AT-YOUR-SERVICE-/302123980352?hash=item4657fe1640:g:scQAAOSw44BYDiFM |title=Vintage 1957 Eat n Park Big Boy menu old restaurant hamburger at your service |website=eBay |access-date=November 2, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161102063733/http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1957-EAT-N-PARK-BIG-BOY-MENU-OLD-RESTAURANT-HAMBURGER-AT-YOUR-SERVICE-/302123980352?hash=item4657fe1640:g:scQAAOSw44BYDiFM |archive-date=November 2, 2016|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-advertisement-clipping-may-11-1956-116034/|title=Now... We are featuring a complete curb service [Advertisement]|date=May 11, 1956|work=Chester Times|location=Chester, PA|page=35|access-date=November 4, 2016|via=newspaperarchive.com}}</ref> Shown is a common version of the several renderings used. By 2009, a new styled version is sometimes being used again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/dahlstroms/4135789374/in/photolist-7it16m-b76fqe-2PqjDM-7mHN5K-dMdGrL-eSNegT-obkPAJ-NYHTFF-4r9VFH-4oYfJN-kM3Diq-66AJc9-62k16Z-74D7HW-bzX73B-6cwzWu-4NaFje-buKj1w-6gVsv4-c4Kgfo-9fbsVQ-6Jxx8i-8KBonK-cufwYj-5X8V3m-gduZhF-7fSSuL-c4Kged-6UczQX-bs4iJk-ddR6up-c4KgqJ-3bqr67-fWpbSd-8udnbb-dGhrUh-8n5e8M-7ggMmU-8WtCjq-5Xn3M8-9fSSos-6ro54s-du76nS-isoADE-8iZSZh-9SDPNJ-9KvToK-4JxJxT-8qR73b-QTFYuj|title=Big Boy burgers|last=Dahlström|first=Håkan|date=November 13, 2009|website=flickr|access-date=March 14, 2017}} (Image file)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/cropwithanna/5416602406/|title=Bob's Big Boy|last=Day|first=Anna|date=October 4, 2009|website=flickr|access-date=March 14, 2017}} (Image file)</ref>
|-
|valign="top"|'''D'''
|'''1969. '''Revised East Coast Big Boy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15682634/may_we_serve_you_too_advertisement/|title=May we serve you, too? [Advertisement]|date=July 30, 1970|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=December 10, 2017|pages=48|via=Newspapers.com}} Note: The Big Boy character copyright is dated 1969.</ref>
|-
|valign="top"|'''E'''
|'''1969. '''Revised West Coast Big Boy.
|-
|
|Differences between the East and West Coast designs, including the statues, created confusion along the Ohio-Michigan border where Frisch's and Elias Brothers operated. This motivated a common Big Boy mark, derived with elements of both predecessors, (B) and (C). He retained the look of the West Coast figure (C) but assumed the running pose and orientation of the East Coast figure (B). Nonetheless, similar West and East Coast versions were realized, maintaining the facial style of the previous marks, respectively. Frisch's continued to use (D) through 2016.
|-
|valign="top"|'''F'''
|''' 1981.''' To emphasize a full menu the hamburger was removed from the West Coast design.
|-
|valign="top"|'''G'''
|''' 1988.''' After buying Big Boy, Elias Brothers lowered the left arm completely.
|}
]]

Early versions of the West Coast Big Boy statues were gigantic, measuring up to {{Convert|16|ft}} tall<ref>{{Cite news|last=Marriott|first=Karin|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RS&p_theme=rs&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10CADCF194E620D0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Big Boy's Back: 16-foot statue of restaurant icon occupies rightful place|date=September 16, 2005|work=[[The Press-Enterprise]]|access-date=September 7, 2017|page=B01|via=[[NewsBank]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Sculle 2002">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nYcgnWKWXgC&pg=PA77|title=Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age|last1=Jakle|first1=John A.|last2=Sculle|first2=Keith A.|date=January 1, 2002|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=9780801869204|page=77|language=en}}</ref> with later versions as short as {{Convert|4|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/news/wire/2009/10/02/shoneys-founders-daughter-michigan-restaurant-chain-battle-over-big-boy-monument.html?page=all|title=A Big Boy Battle|website=Upstart Business Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005085948/http://upstart.bizjournals.com/news/wire/2009/10/02/shoneys-founders-daughter-michigan-restaurant-chain-battle-over-big-boy-monument.html?page=all|archive-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref> The early statues always included the Big Boy hamburger above the mascot's raised right arm; much later versions eliminated the hamburger with both arms clutching the suspenders instead. The hamburger remained a part of the Frisch's East Coast statues, though the slingshot was eliminated from the figure's back pocket. Although still used by that chain, some Frisch's restaurants currently display the West Coast statue instead.

Occasionally Big Boy statues have come into conflict with local [[zoning]] ordinances. In 2002, Tony Matar, a Big Boy franchisee in [[Canton, Michigan]], was cited in violation of local sign ordinances. The town claimed the statue was a prohibited second sign; Matar asserted that the {{Convert|7|ft|adj=on}} statue was a sculpture, not a sign.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Big Boy Statue Either Art or Advertising|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/04/18/big-boy-statue-either-art-or-advertising/b8b1616c-3a66-4860-b1b4-7498e48bc1a7/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 18, 2004|access-date=February 16, 2016|issn=0190-8286|language=en-US}}</ref> A 2004 compromise allows the existing statue to remain with the words "Big Boy" removed from the figure's bib.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.cantonpl.org/observer/2004/07_Jul%202004/07-11-2004.pdf|title=An end in Sight, Big Boy to Stay|last=Maliszewski|first=Joanne|date=July 11, 2004|access-date=February 16, 2016|newspaper=Canton Observer|page=1|location=Canton, MI}}</ref> When a [[Brighton, Michigan]], franchise closed in early 2015 for financial reasons, zoning codes caused the entire sign{{snd}}topped with a rotating Big Boy statue{{snd}}to be taken down before the restaurant could be reopened.<ref>. . .
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/brighton/2015/06/05/big-boy-sign/28556781/|title=Big Boy sign comes down|date=June 8, 2015|website=Daily Press & Argus, livingstondaily.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502101643/http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/brighton/2015/06/05/big-boy-sign/28556781/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=February 16, 2016}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/brighton/2015/08/02/big-boy-reopens/30965879/|title=Big Boy in Brighton reopens|date=August 2, 2015|website=Daily Press & Argus, livingstondaily.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502070318/http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/brighton/2015/08/02/big-boy-reopens/30965879/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref> In contrast, the planning commission in [[Norco, California]] — known as ''Horsetown USA'' — was concerned that the statue was not [[Western wear|Western]] enough. In response, the restaurant's Big Boy statue is now outfitted wearing a cowboy hat and boots.<ref>. . .
* {{Cite web|title='Horsetown USA' balks at 4th Bob's Big Boy mascot|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-horsetown-usa-balks-at-4th-bobs-big-boy-mascot-2010aug03-htmlstory.html/news/2010/aug/03/horsetown-usa-balks-at-4th-bobs-big-boy-mascot/|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=August 3, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2016}}
* {{Cite web|title=Big Boy dumps red checkerboard overalls for cowboy hat|url=http://abc7.com/archive/5850343/|website=ABC7 Los Angeles|date=December 14, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref>

A few other modified statues are in official use. In [[Cincinnati]]'s [[Great American Ball Park]], a Frisch's statue is painted wearing a 1970s [[Cincinnati Reds|Reds]] baseball uniform with a Reds [[Baseball cap|ballcap]] added. Frisch's Big Boy hamburgers are sold at two of the park's concession booths.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frisch's Big Boy Back at Great American Ballpark!|url=http://www.frischs.com/community.aspx|website=www.frischs.com|access-date=February 16, 2016|quote=Frisch's is looking forward to operating its two concession booths inside Great American Ballpark.... There is a highly visible 6' 6" Big Boy statue dressed as a 1970s Cincinnati Reds ball player sporting #46 just in front of the Gapper's Alley booth.|archive-date=February 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211211245/http://www.frischs.com/community.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rather than modifying a typical statue, the Big Boy restaurants in [[Manistique, Michigan|Manistique]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qo2AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA95|title=Oddball Michigan: A Guide to 450 Really Strange Places|last=Pohlen|first=Jerome|publisher=Chicago Review Press|year=2014|isbn=9781613748930|pages=95|language=en|df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.roadarch.com/critters/mam4.html|title=Mammal Statues|website=RoadsideArchitecture.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330022659/http://www.roadarch.com/critters/mam4.html|archive-date=March 30, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=May 27, 2017|df=mdy}}</ref> and [[St. Ignace, Michigan|St. Ignace]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@45.8567634,-84.73535,3a,80.8y,183.63h,85.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdt8L3VkpKhu8n_jKJO_8rg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|title=Google Maps|date=November 2016|website=Google Maps|access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> Michigan, display full scale [[moose]] statues dressed in checkered overalls with "Big Boy" printed across the chest. To conform with [[Gaylord, Michigan]]'s, Alpine theme, the local restaurant's statue previously wore a green [[Tyrolean hat]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KI35AwAAQBAJ|title=Main Street Revisited: Time, Space, and Image Building in Small-Town America|last=Francaviglia|first=Richard V.|date=June 1, 1996|publisher=University of Iowa Press|isbn=9781587290718|page=126|language=en}}</ref> (The restaurant was rebuilt in 2016, and no longer displays the modified statue.)

In March 2017, Frisch's unveiled a [[Frisch's#New statue|restyled statue]]. The new statue resembles the West Coast design but wears striped overalls like the original East Coast Big Boy.<ref name="New Frisch 1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.franchisetimes.com/news/April-2017/Frischs-Big-Boy-Loses-His-Checkered-Pants/|title=Frisch's Big Boy Loses His Checkered Pants|last=Weingartner-Monroe|first=Nancy|date=April 2017|website=FranchiseTimes.com|language=en|access-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref> The debut statue wearing a Reds uniform is placed near the existing statue at Great American Ball Park; another is planned for an unnamed Frisch's restaurant.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/03/31/frischs-serves-up-new-big-boy-statue/99878334/|title=Frisch's serves up new Big Boy statue|last=Vilvens|first=Sheila|date=March 31, 2017|work=Cincinnati.com|access-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502073731/http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/03/31/frischs-serves-up-new-big-boy-statue/99878334/|archive-date=May 2, 2017|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref> Frisch's will gradually swap the new statues for existing restaurant statues in need of repair.<ref name="New Frisch 1" />

Because of the closing or separation of former Big Boy restaurants, many West Coast statues were acquired by private individuals, and often traded through [[eBay]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://la.curbed.com/2008/8/13/10562822/own-a-piece-of-bobs-big-boy|title=Own a Piece of Bob's Big Boy|last=Gluck|first=Marissa|date=August 13, 2008|website=Curbed LA|access-date=February 24, 2017}} (Note: The "Hamburger" Bob is the older 1950s style and the "Suspender" Bob is the newer style.)</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-sep-25-2005-204056//|title=Don't trash it, frame it!|last=Herron|first=Frank|date=September 25, 2005|newspaper=Syracuse Post Standard|access-date=February 24, 2017|page=H4|via=newspaperarchive.com}}</ref> Smaller versions of the statues are sold as [[Piggy bank|coin banks]] and [[bobblehead]] figures.<ref>. . .
* {{Cite web|url=http://shop.bigboy.com/collections/gifts|title=Gifts|website=Big Boy Restaurants|access-date=May 9, 2016}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.bobs.net/products/memoribilia/bobs-big-boy-bank|title=Bob's Big Boy Bank|website=Bob's Big Boy|access-date=May 9, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422153751/http://www.bobs.net/products/memoribilia/bobs-big-boy-bank|url-status=dead}}</ref> The three-dimensional Big Boy figure was also used on early ashtrays,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bobs-big-boy-vintage-ashtray-1760494025|title=Bobs Big Boy Vintage Ashtray|date=July 29, 2015|website=Worthpoint|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref> salt and pepper shakers,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Ceramic-Big-Boy-Figural-Salt-amp-Pepper-Shakers-from-the-1950s-1960s-/111558438182|title=Rare Ceramic Big Boy Figural Salt & Pepper Shakers from the 1950s/1960s|website=eBay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309005922/http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Ceramic-Big-Boy-Figural-Salt-amp-Pepper-Shakers-from-the-1950s-1960s-/111558438182|archive-date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref> wooden counter displays and as small unpainted [[pewter]] models.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Boy-Pewter-Figurine-Statue-Collector-Series-2-Ltd-Ed-of-500-1956-/162393325996|title=Big Boy Pewter Figurine Statue Collector Series #2 Ltd Ed of 500 "1956"|website=eBay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309010539/http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Boy-Pewter-Figurine-Statue-Collector-Series-2-Ltd-Ed-of-500-1956-/162393325996|archive-date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>

Gigantic [[inflatables#decorative inflatables|air inflatable]] Big Boy figures are available and typically used for restaurant openings and special promotions.<ref>. . .
* {{Cite web|title=Inflatable Mascot for Frisch's Big Boy Restaurants{{snd}}Landmark Creations|url=http://landmarkcreations.com/frischs-inflatable-big-boy-mascot|website=landmarkcreations.com|access-date=February 16, 2016}}
* {{Cite web|title=Inflatable Ideas{{snd}}Big Boy Inflatable|url=http://www.inflatableideas.com/character-shapes/inflatable-character-shapes-big-boy-inflatable-003.html|website=www.inflatableideas.com|access-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Adventures of the Big Boy}}

{{anchor|comic book}}

===''Adventures of the Big Boy'' comic book===

<!-- comic books image -->
[[File:Big-Boy-Comic-Book-Composition.png|thumb|alt=Notable Big Boy comic book cover pages|upright=1.8| <big>'''The ''Adventures of the Big Boy'' comic book'''</big>
{{bulleted list|'''Top row''' (left to right): No. 1, July 1956, West Coast and East Coast versions; No. 13, July 1957, West Coast and East Coast versions.|'''Bottom row:''' No. 155, June 1969, West Coast and East Coast versions; No. 156, July 1969, combined version; No. 1, Shoney's version, 1976 (month unknown).}}]]

''Adventures of the Big Boy'' (initially ''The Adventures of Big Boy'') was a promotional comic book given free to children visiting the restaurants. Intended to "give the kids something to do while they waited for their food",{{r|"Miller 1996"}} the book involves the escapades of Big Boy, his girlfriend Dolly and dog Nugget.  From the comic books, children could also join the Big Boy Club, a [[kids' club]] offering them free Big Boy hamburgers,<ref name="Bennett 1989">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20629384/pittsburgh_postgazette/|title=After 40 years, remembering the enchanted era of Eat'n Park|last=Bennett|first=Marcia|date=June 6, 1989|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=June 2, 2018|pages=21, 23|quote=[C]hildren could enroll in the Big Boy Club and on Christmas and their birthdays receive a token that could be redeemed at the restaurant for a Big Boy burger. Later the restaurant offered a kiddies' comic book, which contained coded messages the youngsters could decipher if they sent for their Big Boy decoder.|via=Newspapers.com}} [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20629399/pittsburgh_postgazette/ Part 2]</ref> decoder cards,<ref name="Bennett 1989" /> [[pin-back button]]s<ref>. . .
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.buttonmuseum.org/buttons/national-big-boy-club-member-blue|title=National Big Boy Club Member Blue|website=Busy Beaver Button Museum|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603062935/http://www.buttonmuseum.org/buttons/national-big-boy-club-member-blue|archive-date=June 3, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=June 3, 2018}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.buttonmuseum.org/buttons/national-big-boy-club|title=National Big Boy Club|website=Busy Beaver Button Museum|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603063817/http://www.buttonmuseum.org/buttons/national-big-boy-club|archive-date=June 3, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=June 3, 2018}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://mattsko.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/big-boy-club/|title=Big Boy Club|date=September 23, 2011|work=Matthew's Island of Misfit Toys|access-date=June 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603064433/https://mattsko.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/big-boy-club/|archive-date=June 3, 2018|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref> and other premiums. The serial – sometimes called "King of the Giveaways"<ref name="Grantham 1996">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15581160/manfred_bernhard_big_boy_12_page_1d/|title=Bye-bye, Big Boy: Comic creator loses meal ticket|last=Grantham|first=Loretta|date=October 20, 1996|work=The Palm Beach Post|access-date=December 5, 2017|pages=1D, 5D|via=Newspapers.com}} ([https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15581163/manfred_bernhard_big_boy_22_page/ continued page 5D])</ref>{{r|"Miller 1996"}} – once had distribution estimated at three million copies.<ref name="Evanier 1997">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsfromme.com/pov/col146/|title=POV: Manny Stallman|last=Evanier|first=Mark|date=July 25, 1997|work=Comics Buyer's Guide|access-date=April 8, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

Manfred Bernhard commissioned [[Timely Comics]] to produce the book. In the first year, ''Adventures of the Big Boy'' was managed by [[Sol Brodsky]], written by [[Stan Lee]] and drawn by [[Bill Everett]], Brodsky, and [[Dan DeCarlo]].<ref name="Caputo">{{Cite web|url=https://nick-caputo.blogspot.com/2012/06/sol-brodsky-big-boy-and-marvels-unknown.html|title=Marvel Mysteries and Comics Minutiae: Sol Brodsky, Big Boy and Marvel's Unknown 1960s comics (Updated)|last=Caputo|first=Nick|date=June 7, 2012|website=Marvel Mysteries and Comics Minutiae|access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref>{{r|"Miller 1996"}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cbldf.org/2016/06/the-humble-history-of-the-adventures-of-big-boy/|title=The Humble History of The Adventures of Big Boy|last=McCabe|first=Caitlin|date=June 24, 2016|website=Comic Book Legal Defense Fund|language=en-US|access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|[[Mike Sekowsky]] may have also drawn in the first year.{{r|"Miller 1996"}}| group="note" }} DeCarlo continued drawing in the second year and Lee writing the series through 1961.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_fsoARercNsC&pg=PA73|title=Stan Lee and the Rise and Fall of the American Comic Book|last1=Raphael|first1=Jordan|last2=Spurgeon|first2=Tom|date=August 28, 2004|publisher=Chicago Review Press|isbn=9781556525414|pages=73|language=en|quote=...by 1961, [Lee] was in his fifth year of scripting duties for Sol Brodsky on a series of giveaway comic books for the Big Boy restaurant chain.|via=Google Books}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Lettering in early issues was credited to [[Artie Simek]]; coloring and possibly some drawing was by [[Stan Goldberg]].<ref name="Caputo" />| group="note" }} For 17 years, starting in the mid-1970s, Manny Stallman drew the (Marriott) series,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.jweekly.com/1997/07/11/big-boy-cartoonist-manny-stallman-dies-here-at-70/|title=Big Boy cartoonist Manny Stallman dies here at 70|date=July 11, 1997|newspaper=J|access-date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> followed by [[Bob Bindig]] who drew the series until 1995.{{r|"Miller 1996"}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bindig_bob.htm|title=Bob Bindig|date=November 29, 2007|website=Lambiek Comiclopedia|access-date=April 16, 2017|quote=In 1985, Bindig retired from his advertising career to take over 'The Adventures of the Big Boy'. He drew the series until 1995, when he really retired.}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Lorina Mapa drew ''Adventures of the Big Boy'', she said for five years;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lorinamapa.com/comics/|title=Comics|last=Mapa|first=Lorina|website=www.lorinamapa.com|language=en-US|access-date=April 16, 2017|quote=For 5 years I was commissioned to draw a monthly comic book called "The Adventures of Big Boy" which was distributed in the ... Big Boy chain of restaurants found all across North America.|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417070604/http://www.lorinamapa.com/comics/|url-status=dead}} (Examples of Mapa's Big Boy work are found at this URL.)</ref> [[Jerry Buckley (cartoonist)|Jerry Buckley]] also drew several issues at the end of the run.{{r|"Miller 1996"}}| group="note" }}

Because of the distinct East and West Coast Big Boy mascots, dual versions of ''Adventures'' were produced, identical except for the detail of the Big Boy figure.<ref name="Adventures Gallery">{{Cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/series/11780/covers/?page=4|title=Adventures of the Big Boy Cover Gallery|website=www.comics.org|access-date=April 9, 2017}}</ref> In July 1969, the versions merged, and a fluffy brown haired Big Boy appeared.<ref name="Adventures Gallery" /> In 1976, Shoney's began publishing their own series instead.{{#tag:ref|However, a January 1977 edition (#237) of the original series bears the Shoney's imprint.{{r|"comicguysince1977 2019"}}| group="note"}} Contracted to Paragon Products, this version featured an older, leaner Big Boy, with his siblings Katie and Tripp replacing Dolly and Nugget,{{r|"Miller 1996"}} and was adopted by the JB's and Azar's Big Boy franchises.<ref name="Comics Shop">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uORls7bMR8QC&pg=PT187|title=Comics Shop|last=Thompson|first=Maggie|date=September 27, 2010|publisher=Adams Media|isbn=978-1440216503|pages=187|language=en}}</ref>  After 75 issues, it became ''Shoney's Fun and Adventure Magazine'' introducing a Shoney's mascot ("Uncle Ed" bear) in place of Big Boy, allowing it to serve Shoney's non-Big Boy restaurants.{{r|"Miller 1996"}}{{#tag:ref|Comic book artist [[Sheldon Moldoff]] drew ''Adventures of the {{smallcaps|Shoney's}} Big Boy'' from 1980 past the conversion to the ''Shoney's Fun and Adventure Magazine''.{{r|"Miller 1996"}}| group="note" }}

In 1996, after 39 years and 466 issues,<ref name="Comics Shop" /> Big Boy cancelled the comic book and hired [[Craig Yoe#Big Boy comic book|Craig Yoe's Yoe! Studio]] to revamp the characters and produce a magazine-styled replacement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19801211&id=AQYgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1385,2570689&hl=en|title=Oldest and Biggest Comic Book Turning 25|date=December 11, 1980|work=The Lewiston (Maine) Daily Sun|volume=88|page=27|access-date=March 23, 2016|via=Google News Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/24/bigboy/|title=Restaurant icon Big Boy shrinks from competition|last=Zarrella|first=John|date=September 24, 1996|website=[[CNN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020814214937/http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/24/bigboy/|archive-date=August 14, 2002|url-status=live|access-date=April 14, 2017}}</ref> After 63 issues, the ''Big Boy Magazine'' was itself cancelled in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comics.org/series/11779/|title=Big Boy Magazine, YOE Studio!, 1997 Series|date=April 25, 2015|website=Grand Comics Database|access-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>

==Regional franchises==
{{Main|Big Boy named franchisees}}
<imagemap>
File:Historic Big Boy Restaurant Franchisee Logos.svg|thumb|upright=1.8|alt=Historic Big Boy franchisee logos|<big>'''Logos of historical Big Boy franchisees.'''</big><br />Franchisees were once required to use their own name with the Big Boy name and character. Some changed logos periodically and these show designs used while a Big Boy affiliate, most dating from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. ''Eat'n Park, Shoney's'' and ''JB's'' are no longer affiliated with Big Boy. Logos for ''Adler's,'' ''Arnold's,'' ''Bud's'' and ''Chez Chap'' were not available to the artist.

circle 206 83 42 [[#Bob's]]
circle 77 177 32 [[#Abdows]]
circle 162 177 32 [[#Azars]]
circle 248 177 32 [[#Beckers]]
circle 332 177 32 [[#Eat'n Park]]
circle 73 264 31 [[#Elbys]]
circle 160 264 36 [[#Elias Brothers]]
circle 246 264 36 [[#Franklins]]
circle 332 264 35 [[#Frejlachs]]
circle 72 351 35 [[#Frischs]]
circle 159 349 32 [[#JBs]]
circle 245 349 31 [[#Kebos]]
circle 332 351 33 [[#Kens]]
circle 73 437 33 [[#Kips]]
circle 159 436 36 [[#Lendys]]
circle 245 437 32 [[#Leos]]
circle 333 437 35 [[#Manners]]
circle 73 522 31 [[#Marcs]]
circle 159 523 33 [[#McDowells]]
circle 245 523 32 [[#Mr Bs]]
circle 333 523 32 [[#Shaps]]
circle 76 610 31 [[#Shoneys]]
circle 163 609 31 [[#Teds]]
circle 249 609 31 [[#TJs]]
circle 336 609 31 [[#Tops]]
circle 74 696 32 [[#Totes]]
circle 161 697 34 [[#Tunes]]
circle 247 696 31 [[#Vips]]
circle 334 696 34 [[#Yodas]]
desc none
</imagemap>The Big Boy name, concept, menu, and mascot were originally [[Franchising|licensed]] to a wide number of regional franchise holders. Because many of the early franchisees were already in the restaurant business when joining Big Boy, "Big Boy" was added to the franchisee name just as the Big Boy hamburger was added to the franchisee's menu. In this sense, it is confusing when referring to a chain, as each named franchisee was itself a chain and Big Boy could be considered a chain of chains.

People tend to know Big Boy not simply as Big Boy but as the franchise from where they lived such as Bob's Big Boy in California, Shoney's Big Boy in the south or Frisch's Big Boy in much of Ohio, Marc's Big Boy in the Upper Midwest, Elias Brothers' Big Boy (or sometimes just Elias Brothers') in Michigan, among many others.

===Franchising costs today===
Big Boy Restaurant Group and Frisch's Big Boy Restaurants both continue to offer franchises in their exclusive territories, each having 20 year terms. As of 2023, Big Boy Restaurant Group charged a $50,000 franchise fee and an ongoing 4% royalty and up to 3% advertising fees based on weekly gross revenue.<ref name="BBRIfranchise12">{{Cite web |title=Big Boy Restaurants Int'l. Franchise Information |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/bigboyrestaurantsintl/299169 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bob's Big Boy FAQ's |url=http://www.bigboy.com/franchise-faq.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202050302/https://www.bigboy.com/franchise-faq.pdf |archive-date=December 2, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |website=BigBoy.com}}</ref> (In most of Michigan, the franchisee pays a 2% advertising fee and must spend an additional 1% on local advertising. Franchisees in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or outside of Michigan pay a ½% advertising fee and must spend 1½% on local advertising.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Big Boy Franchise Management Franchise Agreement |url=http://www.franchise-info.ca/restaurant_funding_group/Big%20Boy%20Franchise%20Disclosure%20Document%202012.pdf |access-date=March 27, 2017 |website=Franchise-Info,ca |pages=8–9}}</ref> As of 2020, Frisch's Big Boy charges a $40,000–$45,000 franchise fee, and an ongoing 4% royalty and 2½% advertising fees on gross revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Franchise {{!}} Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.frischs.com/franchise/faqs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401042209/https://www.frischs.com/franchise/faqs/ |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2020 |website=Frisch's Big Boy |language=en-US |quote=The franchise fee for single restaurant is $45,000. The franchise fee for multi-restaurant franchise development is $40,000 per restaurant.}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|By comparison, in 2020, the former Big Boy master franchisee Shoney's Restaurants, charges a $35,000 franchise fee, a 4% royalty and 3¼% advertising fee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shoneys.com/franchising/faqs/|title=Franchisee FAQs|website=shoneys.com|language=en-US|access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref> |group="note"}} The majority of Big Boy Restaurant Group units are franchised<ref name="BBRIfranchise12" /> while the majority of Frisch's units are currently company owned.<ref name="presskit2">{{Cite web |title=Frisch's At-A-Glance |url=http://www.frischs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PressKit.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105514/http://www.frischs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PressKit.pdf |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |website=frischs.com}}</ref> Big Boy Restaurant Group franchise agreements are not renewable but new agreements are required.<ref name="BBRIfranchise12" />

== History ==
[[File:Bob's big boy statue burbank 2013.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Big Boy statue|upright=1|A Big Boy statue common to many restaurants in the chain]]

===Creation by Bob Wian===
{{Main|Bob's Big Boy#History|Frisch's#History}}

Big Boy began as Bob's Pantry in 1936 by [[Bob Wian]] in [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], [[California]].{{r| "Hansen 2002"|page=11}} There, he assembled his special double-decker hamburger. Created as a joke for a customer wanting something different, the novel hamburger began drawing business. The "snappy" name given to the popular sandwich provided a new name for his restaurant: Bob's Big Boy.<ref name="Rasmussen">{{Cite news |last=Rasmussen |first=Cecilia |date=November 2, 2003 |title=When Bob's Was the Big Hangout |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-02-me-then2-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603055337/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/02/local/me-then2 |archive-date=June 3, 2015 |access-date=September 13, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |issn=0458-3035 |quote=In 1938, Wian changed the name from Bob's Pantry to Bob's Big Boy and converted the stand into a drive-in restaurant.... <br />{{in5}}It was a date-night and cruiser destination, a place to flirt, where boys eyeballed one another's engines, got into fistfights over girls and arranged drag races. Teenagers gorged on french fries dipped in blue cheese dressing and "suicide Cokes" splashed with cherry, vanilla, lemon and chocolate flavorings.}}</ref>

The restaurants became known as "Bob's", "Bob's Drive-Ins",<ref name="Advertisement April 1956">{{cite news |author=Advertisement |date=April 15, 1956 |title=New 'Bob's' Opens Tuesday: California's Fanciest Hamburger Joint newest 'Home of the Big Boy' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15088408/new_bobs_1_900_colorado_glendale/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=G8 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=His original capital was $300...}}</ref><ref name="Valley News 1961">{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1961 |title=Bob's home of the 'Big Boy' [Advertisement] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15684995/bobs_home_of_the_big_boy/ |access-date=December 10, 2017 |work=Valley News |location=Van Nuys, CA |page=38B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|In a 1947 training film, the office door is lettered ''Bob's Drive-In'' and although large mascots appear atop the building, nowhere is ''Bob's Big Boy'' mentioned.<ref name="Smalley 1947">{{cite AV media | last=Smalley | first=Alfred E. | date =1947 | title =Car Hop | medium =telefilm recording | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQAsYunEmPc | access-date =June 12, 2018 | format =mp4 | location =Glendale, California}}</ref>|group="note" }} "Bob's, Home of the Big Boy [[Hamburger]]",<ref name="Valley News 1961" /> and ([[colloquialism|commonly]] as) Bob's Big Boy. It became a local chain under that name.  Nationally it was franchised by Robert C. Wian Enterprises; Wian only required franchisees to use "Big Boy" and not include his name "Bob's".

In the late 1940s, Wian licensed two operators in the East to sell his Big Boy hamburger, [[Frisch's]] Big Boy in Cincinnati and [[Eat'n Park]] Big Boy in Pittsburgh; this served Wian's goal to procure and maintain a national trademark.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 20, 2000 |title=Obituary: William D. Peters / President of Eat'n Park restaurant |url=http://old.post-gazette.com/obituaries/20000820peters4.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213042837/http://old.post-gazette.com/obituaries/20000820peters4.asp |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2017 |work=The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |quote=[I]n order to get a nationwide patent [sic], [Bob Wian] needed to add another franchise so he could claim a national presence.}} ''Note: it is a federal trademark which requires a national presence and which Wian sought.''</ref> In 1951, the third licensee [[Alex Schoenbaum]] of [[Shoney's]] Big Boy sold Wian on a formal franchising system, and with the popularity of the drive-in restaurant, a series of [[franchising]] and subfranchising Big Boy followed in the 1950s.<ref name="Shoney's 1968">{{cite news |date=January 28, 1968 |title=Shoney's Chain Growing Across 10-State Region |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-jan-28-1968-35268/ |access-date=September 20, 2017 |work=Charleston Gazette-Mail |page=87 |via=[[newspaperarchive]]}} {{free access}}</ref> The franchisees were required to sell the Big Boy hamburger and use their own name with Big Boy, not Bob's.<ref name="Shaw 2007">{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Richard |date=April 26, 2007 |title=Big Boy returns for a celebration |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/12D58510D63D11C8?p=AWNB |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 20, 2017 |work=The Sun Advocate |location=Price, Utah |at=Birthdays |via=[[NewsBank]] |quote=[O]ther than the restaurants he controlled directly, Wian didn't want his first name used in conjunction with those restaurants so emerged over 18 different restaurant names associated with the Big Boy across the United States.}}</ref>

=== Marriott and Elias Brothers ownership ===
Marriott Corporation bought Big Boy in 1967.

One of the larger franchise operators, [[Big Boy named franchisees#Elias Brothers|Elias Brothers]], purchased the chain from Marriott in 1987, moved the headquarters of the company to [[Warren, Michigan]], and operated it until [[bankruptcy]] was declared in 2000.

=== Big Boy Restaurants International ===
During the bankruptcy, the chain was sold to [[investor]] Robert Liggett Jr., who took over as chairman, renamed the company Big Boy Restaurants International and maintained the headquarters in Warren.<ref name="Frank 2019" /><ref name="Frank 2019a" /> Immediately after Liggett's purchase, Big Boy Restaurants International—then known as Liggett Restaurant Enterprises—negotiated an agreement with the other large franchise operator, [[Frisch's|Frisch's Restaurants.]] The Big Boy trademarks in Kentucky, Indiana, and most of Ohio and Tennessee transferred to Frisch's ownership; all other Frisch's territories transferred to Liggett.<ref>"[http://globaldocuments.morningstar.com/DocumentLibrary/Document/761483afc652eb17.msdoc/original/l87542aex10-b.txt Transfer Agreement between The Liggett Restaurant Group and Frisch's Restaurants, Inc.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616115627/http://globaldocuments.morningstar.com/DocumentLibrary/Document/761483afc652eb17.msdoc/original/l87542aex10-b.txt|date=June 16, 2013}}", January 12, 2001.</ref><ref>"[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/39047/000119312508007132/dex10c.htm Agreement Regarding Use of Trademarks]", November 7, 2007.</ref>{{#tag:ref|As a franchisee, the Elias Brothers bankruptcy threatened Frisch's future use of the Big Boy [[trademark]].<ref name="Fasig 2001" />|group="note" }} Thus Frisch's is no longer a franchisee; instead, Big Boy Restaurant Group and Frisch's are now independent co-registrants of the Big Boy name and trademark.<ref name="Fasig 2001">{{Cite news |last=Biank-Fasig |first=Lisa |date=January 10, 2001 |title=Ohio turf gets larger for Frisch's |url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2001/01/10/fin_ohio_turf_gets.html |access-date=September 5, 2016 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |quote=Craig Maier, chief executive of Frisch's, said the bankruptcy nearly cost the Cincinnati company its right to franchise Big Boys.<br />{{in5}}'In a bankruptcy proceeding, franchise contracts are considered to be no different than a contract to owe money,' Mr. Maier said. 'They could have said, "You are no longer franchisee of the Big Boy system.{{"'}}}}</ref>

The previous Michigan-based owner of the Big Boy chain, which chiefly franchised previous Elias Brothers Big Boy restaurants in Michigan, has suffered a gradual loss of franchised restaurants. About 175 Big Boys existed in July 2006,<ref name="TotalBigBoys2006">{{cite magazine|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/21789414|first=Jack|last=Hayes|title=Family brands undergo updates to meet diners' changing needs|magazine=[[Nation's Restaurant News]]|date=July 24, 2006|volume=40|issue=30|page=78|quote=...the chain now boasts approximately 175 directly franchised and company-owned locations...|access-date=September 7, 2017|via=MasterFILE Premier}}{{Subscription or libraries}}</ref> compared to 76 in July 2019.

On April 16, 2017, the last Big Boy restaurant in the city of [[Detroit]] closed.<ref name="Detroit 2017">{{Cite news|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2017/04/01/detroit-islandview-big-boy-closing/99911836/|title=Death of Detroit's last Big Boy sparks east side angst|last=Aguilar|first=Louis|date=April 1, 2017|work=Detroit News|access-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401231654/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2017/04/01/detroit-islandview-big-boy-closing/99911836/|archive-date=April 1, 2017|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref> The Big Boy in [[Fenton, Michigan]], was expected to close in 2017.<ref name="Fenton">{{Cite news|url=http://www.tctimes.com/news/people-love-their-big-boy/article_9e6bd9ce-ff7e-11e6-a2b7-43ce4a2a5ff8.html|title=People love their Big Boy|last=Rummell|first=Sally|date=March 2, 2017|work=Tri-County Times|access-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409171740/http://www.tctimes.com/news/people-love-their-big-boy/article_9e6bd9ce-ff7e-11e6-a2b7-43ce4a2a5ff8.html|archive-date=April 9, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Both properties have been sold to developers. Likewise, in 2016, the [[Jackson, Michigan]], Big Boy closed after the site was purchased by a developer.<ref name="Closings 2016" />

Other franchisees simply left the Big Boy chain. In April 2017, the [[Danville, Illinois|Danville]] Big Boy, the only unit in Illinois, dropped Big Boy and rebranded as the Border Cafe.<ref name="Danville">{{Cite news|url=http://www.commercial-news.com/news/local_news/big-boy-restaurant-gets-new-name/article_08147fbe-a264-5acf-90d5-b524ec27ca47.html|title=Big Boy Restaurant gets new name|last=Bailey|first=Jennifer|date=April 13, 2017|work=Danville Commercial News|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311204434/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AEQU0dkA7YJMJ%3Awww.commercial-news.com%2Fnews%2Flocal_news%2Fbig-boy-restaurant-gets-new-name%2Farticle_08147fbe-a264-5acf-90d5-b524ec27ca47.html+&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|archive-date=March 11, 2018|url-status=live|quote=[T]he restaurant no longer has a contract with Big Boy and the owners are opening their own restaurant at 369 Lynch Rd.<br />{{in5}}The name of the restaurant will now be Border Cafe.}}</ref> In 2016 both the [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], restaurant (on North Zeeb Road)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/04/ann_arbor_area_big_boy_closes.html|title=Ann Arbor area Big Boy closes suddenly|last=Durr|first=Matt|date=April 21, 2016|work=[[Booth Newspapers|MLive.com]]|access-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006173233/http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/04/ann_arbor_area_big_boy_closes.html|archive-date=October 6, 2016|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref> and the restaurant in [[Houghton Lake, Michigan]], continued to operate but not as Big Boy restaurants.<ref name="Closings 2016">. . .
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2016/09/jackson_1.html|title=Big Boy in Jackson closes its doors|last=DesOrmeau|first=Taylor|date=September 26, 2016|newspaper=Jackson Citizen Patriot|quote=[The Jackson, Michigan] Big Boy officially closed Monday, Sept. 26, [2016]. ... The restaurant opened as a Big Boy between 1960 and 1961, the source said.|access-date=October 19, 2016}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.houghtonlakeresorter.com/news/2016-10-06/Front_Page/GOODBYE_BIG_BOY.html|title=Goodbye Big Boy|last=Reznich|first=Thomas|date=October 6, 2016|work=Houghton Lake Resorter|access-date=October 18, 2016|quote=The Big Boy that graced the top of the Big Boy restaurant sign on M-55 at Houghton Lake was lowered to the ground Oct. 3.... Libby Whittington, daughter of restaurant building owner Barb Whittington, ... said the restaurant will continue to operate, but will now be known as Mikey's.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709173153/http://www.houghtonlakeresorter.com/news/2016-10-06/Front_Page/GOODBYE_BIG_BOY.html|archive-date=July 9, 2017|url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Tecumseh, Michigan|Tecumseh]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lenconnect.com/news/20170108/tecumseh-big-boy-to-drop-franchise-affiliation|title=Tecumseh Big Boy to drop franchise affiliation|last=Shapiro|first=Dmitriy|work=[[The Daily Telegram]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507122903/http://www.lenconnect.com/news/20170108/tecumseh-big-boy-to-drop-franchise-affiliation|archive-date=May 7, 2017|url-status=live|language=en|quote=The family-owned restaurant on M-50 on the western edge of Tecumseh is planning not to renew its contract when the current 20-year franchise agreement expires Nov. 1.<br />{{in5}}[The owners] said ... they felt that it was the right time to move on when 'six or seven years' prior, the company told its franchisees to undertake a complete renovation if they wanted a new contract ... adding that most of the franchises appear to be making the same decision.'}}</ref> and [[Alma, Michigan]]<ref name="Bradley 2017">{{cite news|last=Bradley|first=Sean|date=October 24, 2017|title=Big Boy in Alma renovation ongoing, plans to reopen as 'Piper's' next year|work=Morning Sun|location=Mount Pleasant, MI|url=http://www.themorningsun.com/general-news/20171024/big-boy-in-alma-renovation-ongoing-plans-to-reopen-as-pipers-next-year|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113011617/http://www.themorningsun.com/general-news/20171024/big-boy-in-alma-renovation-ongoing-plans-to-reopen-as-pipers-next-year|archive-date=November 13, 2017}}</ref> restaurants announced they will allow their franchise agreements to expire on November 1, 2017, and early 2018, respectively, and both will continue to operate independently. The [[Marine City, Michigan]], Big Boy closed in February 2018, to reopen independently by a new owner.<ref name="Shepard 2018">{{Cite news|last=Shepard|first=Liz|date=February 13, 2018|title=Marine City Big Boy sold, will reopen as Valentino's|language=en|work=The Times Herald|location=Port Huron, Michigan|url=https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/marine-city/2018/02/13/marine-city-big-boy-sold-reopen-valentinos/332698002/|url-status=live|access-date=February 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311204041/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AuzxXnMxPyEIJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetimesherald.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fmarine-city%2F2018%2F02%2F13%2Fmarine-city-big-boy-sold-reopen-valentinos%2F332698002%2F+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|archive-date=March 11, 2018|quote=The Marine City Big Boy closed its doors Monday evening [February 12, 2018].}}</ref> However, in the same month, Big Boy added a new franchisee, an existing restaurant reopening as a Big Boy, in [[Woodhaven, Michigan]].<ref name="Martin 2018">{{Cite news|last=Harrison-Martin|first=Jackie|date=February 27, 2018|title=Big Boy shares big news; franchise takes over old Toast Restaurant building in Woodhaven|language=en|work=News-Herald|location=Southgate, Michigan|url=http://www.thenewsherald.com/news/business/big-boy-shares-big-news-franchise-takes-over-old-toast/article_777885f4-ce7d-5a62-a38f-f29e10350688.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302181104/http://www.thenewsherald.com/news/business/big-boy-shares-big-news-franchise-takes-over-old-toast/article_777885f4-ce7d-5a62-a38f-f29e10350688.html|archive-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref> In April 2018, the [[Coldwater, Michigan]], location closed, media sources noting multiple health code violations and poor customer reviews.<ref name="Reid 2018">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailyreporter.com/news/20180403/big-boy-restaurant-closes|title=Big Boy restaurant closes|last=Reid|first=Don|date=April 3, 2018|work=[[The Daily Reporter (Coldwater)|The Daily Reporter]]|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405165849/http://www.thedailyreporter.com/news/20180403/big-boy-restaurant-closes|archive-date=April 5, 2018|url-status=live|location=Coldwater, Michigan}}</ref><ref name="Delaney 2018">{{Cite web|url=http://wtvbam.com/news/articles/2018/apr/03/big-boy-restaurant-in-coldwater-closes-monday/|title=Big Boy restaurant in Coldwater closes Monday|last=Delaney|first=Ken|date=April 3, 2018|website=[[WTVB]] AM|location=Coldwater, Michigan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405170304/http://wtvbam.com/news/articles/2018/apr/03/big-boy-restaurant-in-coldwater-closes-monday/|archive-date=April 5, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref>

Company-owned restaurants have also closed for under-performance.<ref name="Mt Clemens">{{cite news|url=http://www.macombdaily.com/general-news/20170901/big-boy-in-mount-clemens-closes-after-40-years|title=Big Boy in Mount Clemens closes after 40 years|last=Hotts|first=Mitch|date=September 1, 2017|work=The Macomb Daily|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311204713/http://www.macombdaily.com/general-news/20170901/big-boy-in-mount-clemens-closes-after-40-years|archive-date=March 11, 2018|url-status=live|publisher=Digital First Media|location=Township, MI|quote=[T]he eatery closed after the last shift on Sunday night [August 27, 2017].}}</ref><ref name="Eastpointe">{{cite news|url=http://www.macombdaily.com/lifestyle/20170906/big-boy-on-gratiot-in-eastpointe-also-shuts-down|title=Big Boy on Gratiot in Eastpointe also shuts down|last=Hotts|first=Mitch|date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The Macomb Daily]]|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311205207/http://www.macombdaily.com/lifestyle/20170906/big-boy-on-gratiot-in-eastpointe-also-shuts-down|archive-date=March 11, 2018|url-status=live|publisher=Digital First Media|location=Township, MI|quote=The landmark Big Boy on Gratiot Avenue near Nine Mile Road closed in August [2017].}}</ref><ref name="Westland">{{Cite news|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/big-boy-restaurant-westland-closes|title=Big Boy restaurant in Westland closes|last=Jibrell|first=Anisa|date=July 19, 2019|work=Crain's Detroit Business|access-date=July 23, 2019|quote=Its last day of business was July 15 [2019]|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Big Boy Restaurant Group===
In 2018, Big Boy was sold to a group of Michigan investors and renamed Big Boy Restaurant Group, with David Crawford as chairman, CEO, and co-owner of the new company.<ref name="Frank 2019" /><ref name="Frank 2019a" /> In January 2020, Tamer Afr replaced Crawford as chairman, CEO, and co-owner.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frank |first=Annalise |date=January 16, 2020 |title=New Big Boy ownership moves forward on comeback, but not without some bumps |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/new-big-boy-ownership-moves-forward-comeback-not-without-some-bumps |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116160338/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/new-big-boy-ownership-moves-forward-comeback-not-without-some-bumps |archive-date=2020-01-16 |work=[[Crains Detroit Business]]}}</ref>

In 2018, Big Boy was sold to a group of Michigan investors and renamed Big Boy Restaurant Group. The company moved its headquarters from Warren to nearby [[Southfield, Michigan|Southfield]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=http://www.bigboy.com/contact-us/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902200416/http://www.bigboy.com/contact-us/ |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |website=Big Boy |quote=4199 Marcy St. Warren, MI 48091}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

In August 2020, a partnership was announced with [[Terrible Herbst]] to expand into [[Southern Nevada]].<ref name="Bradley-Nevada">{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Bradley|date=December 2, 2020|title=Big Boy Returns to Nevada With Classic Burgers and Shakes|url=https://vegas.eater.com/2020/12/2/21825180/big-boy-opens-indian-springs-nevada|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614210540/https://vegas.eater.com/2020/12/2/21825180/big-boy-opens-indian-springs-nevada|archive-date=June 14, 2021|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=Eater Las Vegas}}</ref> On November 8, 2020, the first Big Boy restaurant opened in [[Indian Springs, Nevada]].<ref name="Rzucidlo-Nevada">{{Cite web|last=Rzucidlo|first=Jason|date=December 16, 2020|title=PHOTOS: Big Boy restaurant opens for business in Indian Springs, NV|url=https://americajr.com/news/2020/12/16/photos-big-boy-restaurant-opens-for-business-in-indian-springs-nv/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125100217/https://americajr.com/news/2020/12/16/photos-big-boy-restaurant-opens-for-business-in-indian-springs-nv/|archive-date=January 25, 2021|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=AmericaJR|quote=The restaurant opened for the first time on Nov. 8, 2020.}}</ref> A second Big Boy opened in May 2022 in the Centennial Hills neighborhood of [[Las Vegas]];<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Bradley|date=September 21, 2020|title=Bob's Big Boy to Bring Its Famed Burgers and Shakes to Centennial Hills|url=https://vegas.eater.com/2020/9/21/21447957/bobs-big-boy-opening-2021-centennial-hills|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623050028/https://vegas.eater.com/2020/9/21/21447957/bobs-big-boy-opening-2021-centennial-hills|archive-date=June 23, 2021|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Eater Las Vegas}}</ref> called Big Boy Tavern, it includes a bar and small casino area.<ref name="Thilmont-Las-Vegas">{{cite news | last = Thilmont | first = Greg | title = Big Boy classic food finds a new spot in the Las Vegas Valley | newspaper = Las Vegas Review-Journal | date = May 20, 2022 | url = https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/big-boy-classic-food-finds-a-new-spot-in-the-las-vegas-valley-2579726/
| access-date = May 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Lilly-Las-Vegas">{{cite web | url = https://www.fox5vegas.com/2022/05/23/big-boy-tavern-opens-northwest-las-vegas-valley/ | title = Big Boy Tavern opens in northwest Las Vegas Valley | last = Lilly | first = Caitlin | date = May 23, 2022 | website = Fox 5, KVVU-TV | access-date = May 26, 2022}}</ref> In June 2021, it was reported that a Big Boy restaurant will open on July 14, 2021, in [[Germantown, Wisconsin]], a Milwaukee suburb. The franchisees will also operate two Big Boy food trucks and plan to open additional Big Boy restaurants in southeastern Wisconsin over a three-year period.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anderegg|first=Brandon|date=June 7, 2021|title=Big Boy franchise returns to Wisconsin after 26 years|url=https://biztimes.com/big-boy-franchise-returns-to-wisconsin-after-26-years/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623044812/https://biztimes.com/big-boy-franchise-returns-to-wisconsin-after-26-years/|archive-date=June 23, 2021|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=BizTimes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Steffes|first=Judy|date=June 17, 2021|title=Press conference at 5:30 p.m. as Big Boy to open in Germantown|url=https://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com/big-boy-wisconsin-2/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623045353/https://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com/big-boy-wisconsin-2/|archive-date=June 23, 2021|access-date=June 23, 2021|website=Washington County Insider}}</ref> The grand opening was pushed back to July 21 due to equipment shipping delays.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/bestburgerwi/photos/a.247118575463901/1901696480006094/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/125003174342109/1901696480006094 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=NEW grand opening date |work=Wisconsin Big Boy |date=July 7, 2021 |via=FaceBook}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Big Boy Restaurants International tried a new [[fast casual restaurant|fast casual concept]] known as '''Big Boy's Burgers and Shakes'''. The restaurant opened in 2016 in [[Mayfield Heights, Ohio]], operated in [[strip mall]] instead of a larger traditional stand-alone building.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://burgersandshakes.com/ |title=Big Boy's Burgers and Shakes |website=burgersandshakes.com |access-date=April 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730232011/http://bigboyburgersandshakes.com/ |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Fenton" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cleveland.com/hillcrest/2016/02/big_boy.html |title=Big Boy is back with opening of restaurant in Mayfield Heights |date=February 9, 2016 |first= Jeff |last=Piorkowski |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]}}</ref> The restaurant was closed by January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=B|first=Krista|date=March 1, 2021|title=Big Boy's Burgers and Shakes / Reviews|url=https://restaurantguru.com/Big-Boys-Burgers-and-Shakes-Mayfield-Heights/reviews?bylang=1|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719133135/https://restaurantguru.com/Big-Boys-Burgers-and-Shakes-Mayfield-Heights/reviews?bylang=1|archive-date=July 19, 2021|access-date=July 19, 2021|website=Restaurant Guru|quote=Closed permanently! 1/29/20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=gorden654|title=Big Boy's Burgers and Shakes|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50623-d9981019-Reviews-Big_Boy_s_Burgers_and_Shakes-Mayfield_Heights_Ohio.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719135607/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50623-d9981019-Reviews-Big_Boy_s_Burgers_and_Shakes-Mayfield_Heights_Ohio.html|archive-date=July 19, 2021|access-date=July 19, 2021|website=Tripadvisor|quote=Just returned home with our take-out order.... Date of visit: August 2019}}</ref>

In November 2020, the Big Boy restaurant in [[Sandusky, Michigan]], was stripped of its franchise when it refused to comply with Michigan's [[COVID-19 in Michigan|COVID-19]] restrictions.  It now operates as Sandusky Family Diner.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Murdock|first=Riley|date=December 15, 2020|title=Former Thumb-area Big Boy temporarily shuts down after court order, owner says|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2020/12/former-thumb-area-big-boy-temporarily-shuts-down-after-court-order-owner-says.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225174523/https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2020/12/former-thumb-area-big-boy-temporarily-shuts-down-after-court-order-owner-says.html|archive-date=February 25, 2021|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=MLive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 27, 2020|title=Michigan Big Boy owner to terminate franchise agreement due to corporate legal action|url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/coronavirus/michigan-big-boy-owner-to-terminate-franchise-agreement-due-to-corporate-legal-action|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124025335/https://www.wxyz.com/news/coronavirus/michigan-big-boy-owner-to-terminate-franchise-agreement-due-to-corporate-legal-action|archive-date=January 24, 2021|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=WXYZ (TV)}}</ref>

In June 2023, Big Boy began to open restaurants with no table service and a fast-food menu and, harkening to their origin, called them Bob's Big Boy.  The first two locations announced are in Michigan in the Detroit suburb of [[Farmington, Michigan|Farmington]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=DeVito |first=Lee |date=June 20, 2023 |title=New fast-food ‘Bob’s Big Boy’ spin-off coming to metro Detroit |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/new-fast-food-bobs-big-boy-spin-off-coming-to-metro-detroit-33410831/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622202032/https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/new-fast-food-bobs-big-boy-spin-off-coming-to-metro-detroit-33410831/ |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |work=Detroit Metro Times}}</ref> and [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Familiar Michigan Restaurant Brand Replacing Zeus’ In South Lansing |url=https://thegame730am.com/familiar-michigan-restaurant-brand-replacing-zeus-in-south-lansing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630200954/https://thegame730am.com/familiar-michigan-restaurant-brand-replacing-zeus-in-south-lansing/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |access-date=June 12, 2023 |work=The Game 730 AM}}</ref>

On February 14th, 2025, the owners of Frisch’s Big Boy, known as “New Frisch’s” sued Big Boy Restaurant Group for allegedly negotiating with NNN REIT to reopen formerly closed locations as “Big Boy”, which violates the agreement settled with the parent organization in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coolidge |first=Alexander |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Lawsuit: Frisch's accuses Michigan Big Boy of plot to violate its 'exclusive territory' |url=https://eu.cincinnati.com/story/money/2025/02/14/frischs-is-suing-big-boy-over-alleged-plan-to-reopen-its-closed-stores/78662362007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409054256/https://eu.cincinnati.com/story/money/2025/02/14/frischs-is-suing-big-boy-over-alleged-plan-to-reopen-its-closed-stores/78662362007/ |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |access-date=February 16, 2025 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref> In March, Big Boy Restaurant Group started opening new restaurants in the evicted units, branded as "Dolly's Burgers and Shakes."<ref>{{cite news |title=Dolly's Burgers & Shakes opens in 2 former Frisch's Big Boy locations |url=https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/blue-ash/dollys-burgers-shakes-opens-in-2-former-frischs-big-boy-locations |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=WCPO 9 Cincinnati |date=10 March 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250310180204/https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/blue-ash/dollys-burgers-shakes-opens-in-2-former-frischs-big-boy-locations |archive-date=10 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

Big Boy began experimenting with a fast food model by opening Bob's Big Boy.  One was located in Farmington, Michigan that opened in 2023, which has since closed, another opened in 2025 in Lansing, Michigan.<ref>https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/09/17/bobs-big-boy-opens-lansing-zeus-coney-island/86203676007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118446p119450n00----c00----e007400v118446b0093xxd119365&gca-ft=177&gca-ds=sophi</ref>

====Southeast Asia and Western Pacific locations====
A franchise briefly operated at the beginning of the 21st century with three Big Boy restaurants in Bangkok and one in the southern beach town of Pattaya, but the business ultimately failed because the native Thai customers did not understand nor appreciate American-style food at that time.<ref name="wsj-2000apr12">{{cite news |last=Frank |first=Robert |date=April 12, 2000 |title=When Small Chains Go Abroad, Culture Clashes Require Ingenuity |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB955495963493981335 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]] |id={{ProQuest|398734798}} |quote="People thought he was a little, well, creepy," says Peter Smythe, the head franchiser for Big Boy restaurants in Thailand, dusting off his giant Big Boy statue on Bangkok's main thoroughfare. "They kept asking me, `Is he a Chinese Ronald McDonald?' " Eventually, a few Thai visitors decided Big Boy was a religious icon and laid bowls of rice and incense at his feet... Culture clashes, food shortages and government run-ins are common. Consider the story of Mr. Smythe and Big Boy, and their five-year journey into the belly of Thailand... Mr. Smythe and Big Boy's 78-year-old patriarch, Louis Elias, flew to Thailand to hammer out a deal, and a beaming Mr. Elias told Mr. Smythe, "This is a great brand. All you have to do is open the door, and they will come!" About a year later, Mr. Smythe, still acting as an adviser, did open the doors. But no one came. "I called Detroit and screamed, `They're not coming! Now what?' " says Mr. Smythe... After interviewing hundreds of customers, Mr. Smythe found multiple reasons... Many explained that they would rather get a sweet satay, noodle bowl or grilled squid on the street for one fifth the price of a greasy burger. "It suddenly dawned on me that, here I was, trying to get a 3,500-year-old culture to eat 64-year-old food," says Mr. Smythe... Mr. Smythe studied the customers who were walking past his restaurants and discovered that they fell into two broad categories: European tourists and Thai young people, including a large number of the young women who work in nearby bars. With help from a Swiss chef, Mr. Smythe filled the menu with Germanic specialties like spatzle, beef and chocolate cake. For the Thais, he added country-style specialties like fried rice and pork omelets. He also added sugar and chile powder to Big Boy's burgers to better match Thai taste buds. Yet the restaurants now make over half their money from Thai food, and the rest from European dishes and the occasional milk shake or burger. "We thought we were bringing American food to the masses," he says. "But now we're bringing Thai and European food to the tourists. It's strange, but you know what? It's working."}}</ref> The restaurants adapted the menu to local tastes. Some Thai customers regarded the Big Boy statues as religious icons or had superstitions about them.<ref name="wsj-2000apr12" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gillespie |first=Kate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQYXCgAAQBAJ&dq=big+boy+thailand&pg=PA86 |title=Global Marketing |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2015 |isbn=9781317508335 |pages=86}}</ref>

{{anchor|Big Boy Thailand}}In 2019, Singapore-based Destination Eats signed a franchise agreement with the Big Boy Restaurant Group to initially open restaurants in Thailand,<ref>{{cite news |date=July 10, 2019 |title='Big Boy' to join Bangkok's burger battles |url=https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/big-boy-joining-bangkoks-burger-battles/ |work=[[Coconuts Bangkok]]}}</ref> and later in Australia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines.<ref name="dtn-2020-08-28">{{cite news |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Destination Eats Debuts Big Boy Brand In Thailand With Delivery |url=https://destinationthailandnews.com/lifestyle-news/dining-out-take-away/destination-eats-debuts-big-boy-brand-in-thailand-with-delivery.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726160411/https://destinationthailandnews.com/lifestyle-news/dining-out-take-away/destination-eats-debuts-big-boy-brand-in-thailand-with-delivery.html |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |access-date=July 11, 2021 |work=Destination Thailand News}}</ref> In May 2020, the first Thai Big Boy restaurant opened in [[Bangkok]], operated as a delivery only service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thaitrakulpanich |first=Asaree |date=May 26, 2020 |title=We Tried Big Boy Burger – Here's How Michigan Tastes in Bangkok |url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/food/2020/05/26/we-tried-big-boy-burger-heres-how-michigan-tastes-in-bangkok/ |access-date=November 14, 2025 |newspaper=[[Khaosod English]]}}</ref> A second restaurant was opened in [[Pattaya]] in October 2020.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 2020 |title=Big Mouth Burger |url=http://www.pattayanewsflash.com/2020/october.html |access-date=July 14, 2021 |work=Pattaya News Flash}}</ref> The company is obligated to open 70 restaurants in its overall territory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Laura |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Big Boy Restaurants arrives in Thailand as brand plans U.S. revival |url=https://www.franchisetimes.com/international_franchising/big-boy-restaurants-arrives-in-thailand-as-brand-plans-u-s-revival/article_b50846df-6f7b-5fcd-9ca6-cd037800ceb2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116201502/https://www.franchisetimes.com/international_franchising/big-boy-restaurants-arrives-in-thailand-as-brand-plans-u-s-revival/article_b50846df-6f7b-5fcd-9ca6-cd037800ceb2.html |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |website=The Franchise Times}}</ref>

Big Boy began experimenting with a fast-food model using the Bob's Big Boy name.  One opened in Farmington, Michigan in 2023, and has since closed, another opened in 2025 in Lansing, Michigan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greco |first=Rachel |date=September 17, 2025 |title=Bob's Big Boy opens in Lansing in former Zeus’ Coney Island property |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/09/17/bobs-big-boy-opens-lansing-zeus-coney-island/86203676007/ |access-date=November 14, 2025 |website=Lansing State Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of hamburger restaurants]]
* [[List of casual dining restaurant chains]]
* [[List of franchises]]

{{Portal bar|Food|United States|Los Angeles|Michigan|California|Companies}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
<references>
<ref name="Searl 1986">{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/robert-thomas-other-articles-clipping-jun-09-1986-145884//|title=Big Boy's original Bob takes it easy in Newport|last=Searl|first=Laura|date=June 9, 1986|access-date=February 16, 2017|location=Santa Ana, CA|via=newspaperarchive.com|newspaper=Orange County Register}}</ref>

<ref name="Lawrence 1958">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19581216&id=OexQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6932,3358626&hl=en|title=From Dishwasher to Owner of Chain of Restaurants Is the Story of Bob Wian|last=Lawrence|first=Larry|date=December 16, 1958|access-date=January 12, 2018|publisher=The Journal Company|via=GoogleNews|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal Green Sheet}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

<ref name="Hansen 2002">{{cite book | last=Hansen | first=Christian | title=The Big Boy Story: "King of Them All" | year=2002 | publisher=Haagen Printing | location=Santa Barbara | isbn=978-0967194363 | quote=(page 75) On a plane trip to Keene, New Hampshire ... to visit with [Big Boy] franchisee Manfred Bernhard, creator of the Big Boy Comic Book. ... Manfred greeted us at the plane in his car, loaded us in, and we drove in an opposite direction to his restaurant, Mr. 'B's'. }}</ref>

<ref name="Miller 1996">{{Cite news|url=http://cbgxtra.com/columnists/john-jackson-miller-longbox-manifesto/cbg-1192-96-end-of-an-era-for-king-of-the-giveaways|title=End of an Era for King of the Giveaways|last=Miller|first=John Jackson|date=September 20, 1996|work=Comics Buyers Guide|access-date=April 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126090326/http://cbgxtra.com/columnists/john-jackson-miller-longbox-manifesto/cbg-1192-96-end-of-an-era-for-king-of-the-giveaways|archive-date=November 26, 2010|url-status=live|issue=1192}}</ref>

<ref name="comicguysince1977 2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Big-Boy-Restaurants-comic-book-ADVENTURES-OF-THE-BIG-BOY-237-comics-MLK/303347674195?hash=item46a0ee2c53:g:NxQAAOSw0ThdhlYk|title=1977 Big Boy Restaurants comic book ADVENTURES OF THE BIG BOY #237 comics MLK|last=comicguysince1977|date=November 7, 2019|website=eBay|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107124056/https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Big-Boy-Restaurants-comic-book-ADVENTURES-OF-THE-BIG-BOY-237-comics-MLK/303347674195?hash=item46a0ee2c53:g:NxQAAOSw0ThdhlYk|archive-date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
</references>

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | author=Hansen, Christian | title=The Big Boy Story: "King of Them All" | publisher=Haagen Printing | year=2002 | isbn=978-0967194363}}
* {{cite book | author=Langdon, Philip | title=Orange Roofs, Golden Arches: The Architecture of American Chain Restaurants | publisher=Knopf | year=1986 | isbn=978-0394741291}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Big Boy restaurants}}
; Official Big Boy company sites
* [https://bigboy.com/ Big Boy Restaurant Group]
* [https://www.frischs.com/ Frisch's Big Boy Restaurants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505232023/http://www.frischs.com/ |date=May 5, 2012 }}
* [https://www.bigboyjapan.co.jp/ Big Boy (Restaurants) Japan] [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.bigboyjapan.co.jp/ partial English translation by Google]
* [https://www.bobs.net/ Bob's Big Boy Restaurant, Burbank, CA]
* [https://bismarckbigboy.com/ Bismarck Big Boy, Bismarck, ND]
* [https://wibigboy.com/ Wisconsin Big Boy, Germantown, WI]
* [https://bigboy.co.th Big Boy Thailand]

; Other sites
* The Elby's (Big Boy) Empire. Part [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-1/ 1]  [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-2/ 2]  [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-3/ 3]  [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-4/ 4]  [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-5/ 5]  [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-6-rumors-truth/ 6]  [http://weelunk.com/the-elbys-empire-part-7-could-it-work-today/ 7]
* [http://www.roadsidepeek.com/coffeeeats/coffeeshop/bigboy/index.htm Roadside Peek: Big Boy] [http://www.roadsidepeek.com/rpeekeast/eatseast/bigboyeast/index.htm Big Boy East] [http://www.roadsidepeek.com/coffeeeats/coffeeshop/bigboy/bigboyjapan/index.htm Big Boy Japan]
* [http://www.agilitynut.com/eateries/bigboy.html RoadsideArchitecture: Big Boy] [http://www.agilitynut.com/eateries/bigboy2.html Frisch's Big Boy]
* [http://retroweb.com/oldroanoke/lendys/index.html Lendy's Web Pages] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104185425/http://retroweb.com/oldroanoke/lendys/index.html |date=January 4, 2022 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150701113131/http://www.googieart.com/main02.htm Armet & Davis restaurant design renderings for Bob's Big Boy] [https://web.archive.org/web/20150104130417/http://www.googieart.com/Main03.htm for Azar's Big Boy] [https://web.archive.org/web/20150104130855/http://www.googieart.com/main04.htm for Frisch's Big Boy] [https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064412/http://www.googieart.com/Main05.htm for Kip's Big Boy]

{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}
{{Food chains in Japan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Big Boy (Restaurant)}}
[[Category:Big Boy Restaurants| ]]
[[Category:1936 establishments in California]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1936]]
[[Category:Buffet restaurants]]
[[Category:Child characters in advertising]]
[[Category:Companies based in Macomb County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000]]
[[Category:Culture of the Midwestern United States]]
[[Category:Drive-in restaurants]]
[[Category:Economy of the Midwestern United States]]
[[Category:Food advertising characters]]
[[Category:Hamburger restaurants in the United States]]
[[Category:History of Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Male characters in advertising]]
[[Category:Marriott International brands]]
[[Category:Culture of Michigan]]
[[Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1936]]
[[Category:Restaurants in California]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Michigan]]
[[Category:Theme restaurants]]
[[Category:Warren, Michigan]]