Frisch's

Frisch's Restaurants, Inc.
Frisch's Big Boy
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurant, Casual dining, Drive-thru
Founded1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio
1946 (Serving Big Boys)
1947 (Joined Big Boy)
2001 (Left Big Boy)
2015 (Bought by NRD Capital)
FounderDavid Frisch[1]
SuccessorNRD Partners I, L.P.
HeadquartersCincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Key people
  • James Walker
      (CEO, 2022–present)
  • Tony Vasconcellos,
      (President)[2]
  • Craig F. Maier,
      (President & CEO, 1989–2015)
  • Karen F. Maier,
      (V.P.: Marketing, 1983–2015)
  • Jack C. Maier,
      (President & Chair, 1970–89)
Products
  • Big Boy hamburger
  • Brawny Lad sandwich
  • Buddie Boy sandwich
  • Hot Fudge Cake
  • Swiss Miss sandwich
BrandsBig Boy (Kentucky, Indiana, and most of Ohio and Tennessee)
Number of employees
6955[3] (2017)
ParentNRD Partners I, L.P.
Websitefrischs.com

Frisch's Restaurants, Inc., doing business as Frisch's Big Boy, is a regional Big Boy restaurant chain with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. For many years a Big Boy franchisee, in 2001, Frisch's became the exclusive owner of the Big Boy trademark in Indiana, Kentucky, and most of Ohio and Tennessee, and is no longer affiliated with Big Boy Restaurant Group. As of April 2024, the company operates 85 locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.[4][5][6] This included multiple Big Boy stores in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.[4] Frisch's is the oldest, longest surviving, and largest regional Big Boy operator, excluding Bob's Big Boy in California, which was the original Big Boy restaurant and franchiser. (However, Frisch's is significantly larger than the original Big Boy chain, which makes up Elias Brothers, the Bismarck Big Boy, and Bob's.) The last new Frisch's opened in Dry Ridge Kentucky in 2019. Many stores closed afterwards, likely due to rising supply chain costs and workforce issues.

Leadership of Frisch's passed from founder David Frisch to his son-in-law and finally his grandson, until 2015, when the company was sold to Atlanta-based NRD Capital, an equity fund which focuses on restaurant development. Frisch's also previously owned numerous Golden Corral restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia but after closing six under-performing stores in 2011, Frisch's sold the remainder in March 2012.

  1. ^ "Big Boy lookalike event to celebrate Founder's Day". Fox19 Now. Retrieved October 8, 2016. On Thursday, Frisch's Big Boy will be celebrating the birthday of its founder, David Frisch, by hosting a Big Boy lookalike event.
         "Frisch's Founder's Day: Dress like Big Boy, get a Big Boy free!". May 3, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2016 – via Facebook. May 3 marks the second annual Frisch's Founder's Day and we want to celebrate Dave Frisch's birthday with you!
  2. ^ Brownfield, Andy (July 26, 2021). "Frisch's CEO exits as company undergoes reorganization". Cincinnati Business Courier. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Monk, Dan (June 15, 2017). "Frisch's Big Boy to open Downtown store, ramp up expansion plans". WCPO (Channel 9). Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Find a Frisch's Big Boy near you". Frisch's Big Boy. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Key, Jennie (June 25, 2019). "A Green Township Frisch's closes its doors". Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Alley, Megan (June 25, 2019). "New Richmond Frisch's Big Boy Restaurant will close its doors on June 27". The Clermont Sun. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.