A group of Frisch’s senior managers is working to save the Big Boy.
A press release Tuesday announced the group, led by Don Short and Cheryl White, have purchased multiple locations and future brand development rights. Both Short and White have worked for Frisch’s for decades, according to their LinkedIn pages. Short is listed as an area coach for the chain, while White is the vice president of operations.
“We are very grateful and extremely excited to have the opportunity to carry this beloved icon forward,” Short said in the release. “Like many other family dining restaurant brands which have struggled due to the devasting impact of COVID-19, coupled with unprecedented cost inflation pressures, some Frisch’s units are no longer viable. However, other units are well situated to move forward, and we plan to invest in those locations and add new units in the years ahead.”
The release did not state which locations have been acquired or where the team is planning new locations.
Many local Frisch’s restaurants have been embroiled in an ongoing legal battle with their landlord, Orlando real estate company NNN Reit, over past-due rent. In September, NNN Reit filed eviction notices for more than 20 Southwestern Ohio Frisch’s locations, including 17 in Hamilton, Clermont, Butler, Warren and Highland counties. According to Hamilton County court documents, in February, NNN sent notice to Frisch’s that its rent, totaling over $4.5 million, was overdue and failure to pay would result in being in default under the lease agreement. A notice of default was sent to the restaurant chain in August, followed by a three-day notice to leave the premises at affected restaurants in September.
According to Hamilton County court documents, Frisch’s says it tried to work with NNN to avoid evictions, including the suggestion to work together to close stores on a schedule, but states NNN rejected those efforts.
Since then, 16 local Frisch’s restaurants have closed or been ordered to vacate:
- Anderson Township (7706 Beechmont Ave.)
- Forest Park (11990 Chase Plaza)
- Harrison (1181 Stone Drive)
- Montfort Heights (5351 North Bend Road)
- Blue Ash (9070 Plainfield Road)
- Bridgetown (4227 Bridgetown Road)
- Colerain Township (9830 Colerain Ave.)
- Delhi Township (5202 Delhi Ave.)
- Norwood (4765 Montgomery Road)
- Symmes Township (12150 Mason Montgomery Road)
- Loveland (1283 SR-28)
- Bethel (551 W. Plane Road)
- Lebanon (1330 Columbus Ave.)
- Franklin (3560 S. Dixie Highway)
- Fairfield (6638 Dixie Highway)
- Hillsboro (1285 N. High St.)
The Frisch’s in Batavia was ordered to close, but Frisch’s is trying to keep that location open for the time being.
Related Stories
Another Five Greater Cincinnati Frisch’s Restaurants Have Been Ordered to Close
American Sign Museum Launches Campaign to Restore Iconic Frisch’s Mainliner Sign
Big Boy Opening Two Dolly’s Burgers and Shakes Locations in Greater Cincinnati This Week
This article appears in Nov 13-26, 2024.
