Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Big Boy Restaurants Franchise

Big Boy Restaurants is one of America’s most recognisable family-dining brands, founded in 1936 by Bob Wian in Glendale, California and known for its signature double-deck hamburger, full breakfast menu and nostalgic checkered decor. The chain is now operated and franchised by Big Boy Restaurant Group, the Michigan-based company that acquired the brand in 2018, with Tamer Afr serving as CEO since 2020.

The model is built around full-service and fast-casual family restaurants serving breakfast, burgers, salads, bakery items and comfort-food classics such as the Big Boy burger, the Slim Jim and the Classic Blockbuster Breakfast. Units appeal to multi-generational, value-focused diners, with the current footprint concentrated in Michigan and the surrounding Midwest, supported by the company’s own commissary supply operation.

With nearly 90 years of history, Big Boy is among the longest-running restaurant names in the country, with heritage that includes a long-running licensed comic series and a large independent operation in Japan.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Big Boy Restaurants resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Big Boy Restaurants Franchise?

The case to buy a Big Boy Restaurants franchise rests on rare brand longevity. Few restaurant names carry nearly 90 years of consumer recognition, a recognisable mascot and the kind of multi-generational loyalty that supports repeat family visits in a value-driven, comfort-food category that has proved resilient across economic cycles.

For owners, the brand pairs that heritage with practical infrastructure: an established menu system, ongoing operational guidance and a company-run commissary that helps standardise supply across units. Big Boy Restaurant Group has been actively expanding the footprint, which can mean network momentum and brand-marketing benefits for individual operators.

Big Boy Restaurants Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $50,000

    • Initial Investment Range

      $750,000 – $3,630,500+

    • Minimum Liquid Capital Required

      $250,000

    • Minimum Net Worth Required

      $500,000–$750,000

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      4%

      of gross sales

  • Training & Support

    • 6–8 weeks total including classroom & on‑the‑job training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

Big Boy Restaurants – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Management training for new owners typically runs 6-8 weeks and includes both online and on-the-job training, with regular operational updates delivered through an online platform. Big Boy Restaurant Group supports franchisees with its company-run commissary for standardised supply, plus ongoing operational guidance and marketing support across the network. Buyers of an existing Big Boy unit should confirm with the franchisor what initial and transfer training is provided to incoming ownership and any new management hires, and what online-system access carries over with the resale.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Big Boy suits hands-on hospitality operators who understand full-service restaurant economics. The franchisor requires prospective owners to have restaurant experience or to hire an experienced restaurant operator, so the model fits people comfortable managing kitchen and front-of-house teams, controlling food and labour costs, and driving local community ties. It rewards owners who are present in the business, focused on consistent service and value, and willing to build the multi-generational relationships that family dining depends on.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Big Boy's strongest credential is cultural staying power: a brand recognised since 1936, with an iconic mascot, appearances in films such as Heat and Austin Powers, a commemorated Beatles booth, and a Burbank location named a California Point of Historical Interest. The company also runs community programmes including its Kids' Club and Hockey Club. For resale buyers, this brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's reputation, including local reviews, referral sources and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    Big Boy operates in the US full-service restaurant market, valued at roughly $362 billion in 2025 and forecast to keep growing (Mordor Intelligence). Family and casual dining is driven by demand for value, convenience and comfort food, with multi-generational visits and breakfast occasions offering steady traffic. The category is competitive and sensitive to labour and food costs, so for resale buyers the strength of a specific unit depends heavily on local demographics, competition and its established customer base.

Learn more about
how to own a Big Boy Restaurants franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.