Big Boy Restaurants controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2025
Frisch's territorial lawsuit
Frisch's sued Big Boy Restaurant Group over alleged efforts to negotiate the reopening of former Frisch's locations as Big Boy-related businesses. The dispute concerned the territorial and trademark arrangements established after the 2000-2001 ownership transition.
2025
Dolly's Burgers and Shakes closures
Big Boy Restaurant Group opened Dolly's Burgers and Shakes in former Frisch's territory during the dispute, but the locations were later closed amid litigation, food-safety concerns, and weak performance reported in reference material.
2020
Sandusky franchise removed over COVID-19 compliance dispute
Big Boy removed the Sandusky, Michigan franchise after the operator refused to comply with state COVID-19 restrictions. The restaurant later operated independently under the name Sandusky Family Diner.
2020
Big Boy responds to Sandusky franchisee’s operations
Company response
Big Boy stated that the actions of its Sandusky, Michigan franchisee were not representative of the brand. According to the company, the location defied a state order suspending in-person dining. In response, Big Boy said it was taking legal action to stop the location from operating under the present conditions.
Big Boy said the actions of its Sandusky, Michigan franchisee were not representative of the brand and that it was taking legal action to stop the location from operating under the present conditions after the location defied a state order suspending in-person dining.
Stated objective. To stop the franchisee from operating as a Big Boy Restaurant under the present conditions.
Company response
Remediation — Big Boy
Big Boy has taken immediate action to rectify the situation, maintain our commitment to quality, and adherence to health regulations.
Source excerpt
The actions of a franchisee in Sandusky, Michigan are not representative of Big Boy as a brand, our operations, or standards. Big Boy does not condone, approve or support in any way the actions of this franchisee and is in the process of taking legal action to stop them from operating as a Big Boy Restaurant under the present conditions.
Big Boy has taken immediate action to rectify the situation, maintain our commitment to quality, and adherence to health regulations.
The owner of Big Boy in Sandusky has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for fines while defying the state's epidemic order that suspended in-person dining until Dec. 8.
2018
Coldwater restaurant closure amid health-code concerns
The Coldwater, Michigan Big Boy closed after reports cited multiple health-code violations and poor customer reviews. The available references describe the local closure rather than a system-wide product recall.
2000
Elias Brothers bankruptcy
The Elias Brothers, which had owned and operated the Big Boy system since 1987, entered bankruptcy. The chain was subsequently acquired by investor Robert Liggett Jr.