Future of Frisch's: Big Boy Chain Sold (Kent, McDonald: sale, prices)

[tylerSC]

Famous family diner Frisch's Big Boy, the longest surviving Big Boy regional franchise and an iconic institution, has been sold by founding family members to an Atlanta investment firm. Hopefully this move will stabilize and expand operations for years to come. But it will be interesting to see what the future now holds, as Frisch's operates in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, with the national Big Boy chain and Bob's Big Boy remaining in Michigan and California. Overall, the Big Boy brand should be revitalized and go national once again. But Frisch's has survived whereas other former franchisees such as Shoney's have struggled. One notable distinction: Frisch's uses tartar sauce on their burgers, whereas the other Big Boy chains use 1,000 Island. And many Frisch's use the older style Big Boy statue with the hat, while others use the more modern style statue with the burger held in the air. Despite this major change in ownership, hopefully Frisch's will remain successful for years to come, and perhaps even eventually return to serving Coke products.

[Ohiogirl81]

Investment firms rarely invest in anything except their shareholders' pockets.

[goyguy]

Ever hear of Shillito's, Pogue's, or Ayres?

[tylerSC]

Originally Posted by goyguy

Ever hear of Shillito's, Pogue's, or Ayres?

Most dept. store predecessors have been merged into Macy's nationwide, including Lazarus, Kauffman's, Rich's, and Hecht's. But I hope Frisch's remains as a Big Boy franchise, unless it were to eventually be acquired by Bob's Big Boy or the national Big Boy corporation from Michigan, which is part of the same company. But Frisch's has always been successful as the last surviving Big Boy franchise, and I hope they remain. There are enough Denny's already, and the Big Boy brand is iconic and should be revitalized nationwide.

[xjken]

I can't remember the last time I had an order of crispy (usually limp and barely warm) hot fries at Frisch's and, the Big Boy and Super Big Boy seem smaller every time I order them. Even so we eat there 3 or 4 times a month, we like their sandwichs and salad bar and the prices are very reasonable. Hopefully the sale is not the beginning of the end.

[unusualfire]

Frisch's has gotten too expensive. $9 for a fish combo???? I guess we should expect higher prices now.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Investment firms rarely invest in anything except their shareholders' pockets.

Look no further than Wendy's. They used to have the best fast food hamburger by far. I couldn't get enough of those things. No I don't weigh 450 pounds. Once the financial guys and girls got in charge of Wendys after Dave Thomas died their hamburgers started getting awful. Now practically inedible.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll take a McDonald's burger over Wendys these days each and every day of the week.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by goyguy

Ever hear of Shillito's, Pogue's, or Ayres?

Shillitos wasn't Shillitos since the Lazarus family bought it in 1929. They should have just put up the Macy's sign then.

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by unusualfire

Frisch's has gotten too expensive. $9 for a fish combo???? I guess we should expect higher prices now.

It's called Inflation. Check out the food prices in the grocery stores. Prices of most products have doubled in under five years.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

It's called Inflation. Check out the food prices in the grocery stores. Prices of most products have doubled in under five years.

The cost of Icelandic Cod has doubled or tripled in the past ten years. The rest of the combo, not so much.