The Big Boy restaurants chain, one of America’s most recognizable family dining brands, is undergoing major changes in 2025. After nearly nine decades of serving classic burgers, fries, and milkshakes, the company has confirmed multiple location closures and a legal dispute affecting parts of its Midwest operation. While the beloved brand continues to operate across several U.S. states, these developments mark one of the most challenging chapters in its long history.
For generations, Big Boy has symbolized the American diner experience — a place where families gathered for comfort food under the smiling statue of its iconic mascot. But in 2025, the company faces tough realities: rising costs, competitive pressures, and legal limitations on its ability to expand.
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Big Boy Restaurants’ Current Situation
In October 2025, Big Boy’s parent company announced that six Dolly’s Burgers & Shakes locations in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas will close permanently. These restaurants were launched earlier this year as part of an expansion plan by Big Boy Restaurant Group, the Michigan-based owner of the brand.
However, these closures stem from a trademark dispute that prevents the company from using the Big Boy name in certain Midwestern territories — a restriction dating back decades.
The legal disagreement centers around who holds rights to the “Big Boy” brand in specific regions. While Big Boy Restaurant Group operates the brand nationally, another company, Frisch’s Big Boy, retains exclusive rights to the name in parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Because of this, Big Boy’s attempt to re-enter those markets under its Dolly’s branding has met legal resistance, forcing the company to halt operations in those areas.
A Tale of Two Big Boys: How the Brand Split
To understand what’s happening now, it helps to know how the Big Boy restaurants brand became divided in the first place.
The chain began in 1936, when founder Bob Wian opened a small hamburger stand in Glendale, California. His “Big Boy” double-decker burger quickly became famous, and the concept expanded through franchising. By the 1950s and 1960s, Big Boy was one of America’s most successful diner chains, with regional franchise owners operating under variations of the name — such as Frisch’s Big Boy in the Midwest and Bob’s Big Boy on the West Coast.
Each franchisee managed its own marketing and menu while using the shared mascot — the smiling boy in red overalls holding up a towering burger.
Over time, the company’s ownership became more fragmented. Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc., headquartered in Cincinnati, eventually bought full rights to the “Big Boy” name in its territory, creating the legal boundary that still exists today.
Meanwhile, Big Boy Restaurant Group, based in Michigan, retained rights to operate and franchise under the Big Boy name in other U.S. regions — including Michigan, Nevada, and parts of North Dakota.
This split has occasionally led to confusion among customers who assume the brand is unified nationwide — and it’s now at the center of the 2025 closures.
Why the Closures Matter
The shuttering of the Dolly’s Burgers & Shakes restaurants is more than a local story. It highlights how older restaurant chains must navigate complicated legal and economic realities.
Key challenges affecting Big Boy include:
- Trademark restrictions: The legal barrier between Big Boy Restaurant Group and Frisch’s Big Boy limits expansion in key Midwestern markets.
- Rising operational costs: Labor shortages, increased wages, and supply chain costs continue to strain casual dining operations nationwide.
- Changing consumer habits: Many younger diners are opting for faster, more health-conscious options, pressuring traditional sit-down restaurants to adapt.
- Competition from nostalgia-driven rivals: Brands like Denny’s, IHOP, and regional chains such as Culver’s and Freddy’s Frozen Custard have modernized their menus and décor, attracting both old and new customers.
Still, Big Boy’s management insists that the closures do not represent a broader retreat but rather a necessary step to protect brand integrity while focusing on core markets.
The Current Big Boy Landscape
Despite the closures, the Big Boy brand remains alive and active across the country — just under different ownership structures depending on location.
| Franchise Group | Headquarters | Regions Operated | Approximate Locations (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boy Restaurant Group | Warren, Michigan | Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, parts of Ohio | 50+ |
| Frisch’s Big Boy | Cincinnati, Ohio | Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana | 30+ |
Both groups continue to serve the signature Big Boy burger — two beef patties separated by a bun and topped with special sauce — alongside other favorites like hand-dipped milkshakes, all-day breakfasts, and classic comfort food.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Challenges
For many Americans, Big Boy restaurants represent nostalgia — a piece of mid-century Americana that has endured for nearly 90 years. The iconic statue of the cheerful boy holding up a burger is instantly recognizable, evoking memories of simpler times and family dinners.
But nostalgia alone isn’t enough to sustain a restaurant brand in 2025. Consumer expectations have shifted dramatically. Diners now look for speed, customization, digital ordering, and healthier menu options.
In response, Big Boy has made several modernization efforts:
- Menu innovation: Adding plant-based burgers, chicken sandwiches, and limited-time regional specials.
- Technology upgrades: Implementing digital kiosks, online ordering, and delivery partnerships.
- Restaurant redesigns: Introducing brighter interiors and retro-modern themes that blend nostalgia with modern dining trends.
These changes have helped maintain Big Boy’s loyal following in states like Michigan and Nevada. However, the brand faces the ongoing challenge of staying relevant without losing its classic diner appeal.
Economic Pressures and Legal Complications
The closures in Ohio also underscore how external factors continue to reshape the restaurant industry. Inflation has driven up food and energy costs, while staffing shortages remain a national problem. Many long-standing restaurant chains are consolidating or closing underperforming locations to protect profitability.
For Big Boy, the added layer of legal limitation makes recovery more complex. The company cannot freely expand in some of its most profitable regions due to trademark boundaries that date back nearly 70 years.
Industry analysts point out that this situation reflects a larger trend among legacy American brands — balancing tradition with the need for restructuring. Big Boy must navigate carefully to preserve its identity while exploring new growth models that fit modern dining habits.
Big Boy’s Future: Staying True to Its Roots
Despite the current challenges, Big Boy is not going away. The company’s leadership has reiterated its commitment to modernizing operations, strengthening franchises, and reconnecting with its loyal customer base.
Several initiatives are already underway, including:
- New franchise partnerships in Western and Midwestern states.
- Focus on quality and nostalgia marketing, emphasizing Big Boy’s heritage as a family-friendly diner.
- Exploration of smaller, express-style restaurants to compete with fast-casual chains.
- Menu diversification featuring updated comfort foods and seasonal favorites.
Big Boy executives have also hinted at potential brand collaborations and limited-edition menu tie-ins to attract younger demographics while maintaining the brand’s traditional fan base.
Cultural Impact of Big Boy Restaurants
Few restaurant mascots are as iconic as the Big Boy figure — the smiling child in checkered overalls holding a towering burger. Since the 1940s, this mascot has been a cultural symbol, appearing in vintage advertisements, films, and collectibles.
The brand’s cultural influence extends beyond food. It has inspired nostalgic art, pop-culture references, and even global spinoffs — particularly in Japan, where Big Boy operates under the same name with over 200 restaurants.
In the United States, Big Boy remains a cherished reminder of the postwar era’s optimism, when roadside diners and family meals defined American leisure culture.
Final Thoughts
The Big Boy restaurants chain is more than just a dining brand — it’s an enduring piece of American history. While the recent closures and legal hurdles are significant, they don’t signal the end of Big Boy’s story. Instead, they mark a turning point as the company redefines its place in a changing restaurant landscape.
As Big Boy focuses on innovation while honoring its heritage, one thing remains constant: generations of Americans still associate the brand with comfort, family, and that unforgettable burger held high by the smiling boy out front.
Do you have memories of visiting Big Boy restaurants growing up? Share your favorite menu item or story below — because even after 89 years, Big Boy still has a place at America’s table.
