RISE - Menu Monitor

Big Boy
Headquarters
1 Big Boy Drive, Warren, Michigan 48091 USA
Tel: (586)759-6000 Fax: (586)757-1532
www.bigboy.com
Ownership: Private
Segment: Full Service Family Style
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 187,000 187,046 185,048
Company-owned ($000) 32,000 31,988 26,750
Franchised ($000) 155,000 155,058 158,298
U.S. Number of Units 151 151 150
Company-owned 27 27 21
Franchised 124 124 129
International Sales ($000) 198,000 196,000 195,000
International Units 93 93 93
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 1,280 1,277 1,275
Concept Positioning |
Big Boy is a family-oriented chain of full-service restaurants dating back to the 1930’s. Its menu specializes in the Original
Double-Decker hamburger as well as onion rings, shakes and malts. Operated by Big Boy Restaurants International, Big Boy
currently operates more than 450 locations throughout the U.S. and Japan; 20 locations are company-owned and the
remaining are franchised.
Units are mainly freestanding and average 5,600 sq. ft. with seating for approximately 160 customers. The façade is decorated
with the signature Big Boy character with red and white checkered bricks at the entryway. Dolly’s Market, an area that includes
a gift shop, bakery and home products retail section, is located inside units. Its newest prototype, which debuted in California,
includes more seating, an ice cream counter, free wireless internet access, a more colorful and light décor, upgrades to the
kitchen design and a separated carryout area. A recently redesigned prototype in Las Vegas features 200 seats including
larger, more comfortable booths and new interior design elements such as murals. New stores will be constructed with
upgraded design elements, while a remodeling package is being offered to existing franchisees.
Bob Wian, Big Boy’s founder, entered the restaurant business in 1935 when he bought a 10-seat diner in southern California,
The early units were curbside diners known for their double-decker hamburgers and their chubby, pompadour mascot. In
1952, John, Fred and Louis Elias became its first franchisees. In 1972, Marriott Corp. purchased the business. In 1987, Elias
Brothers acquired the chain from Marriott Corp. and became its exclusive worldwide franchiser. Elias Bros. Corp. filed Chapter
11 Bankruptcy in 2000 and announced the same year that Robert Liggett, Jr., a Detroit-based investor, agreed to purchase the
Big Boy holdings for $24 million. The deal was completed by the end of 2000. Long-term expansion plans call for 100 new
units over the next 10 years.
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