Numerous Frisch’s Big Boys Embattled Frisch’s Big Boy saw huge losses this year as it fought in court against evictions from its landlord, NNN Reit, which claimed the Cincinnati-based chain owed over $4.5 million in rent. Over 20 Greater Cincinnati Frisch’s restaurants have closed since October, with NNN Reit, including the historic and iconic Mainliner location in Fairfax. Frisch’s vows it’s here to stay though, as some locations independent of NNN Reit remain open and a team of senior Frisch’s managers acquired multiple locations and future brand development rights. Photo: Provided by Frisch's Big Boy

Over a dozen Greater Cincinnati area Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants are in danger of closing, with eviction cases in several local counties set to go before judges in the coming days and weeks.

In September, Frisch’s landlord, Orlando real estate company 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.

On Tuesday, a Clermont County judge ordered two area Frisch’s restaurants to vacate their premises: one at 1283 SR-28 in Loveland and another at 551 W. Plane Road in Bethel, WKRC reported. Two other restaurants in Warren County — one in Lebanon and the other in Franklin — have already closed.

On Wednesday, six Hamilton County Frisch’s restaurants will appear in court for their eviction hearings:

  • 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)

Four other Hamilton County restaurants are scheduled for hearings on Wednesday, Nov. 6:

  • Anderson Township (7706 Beechmont Ave.)
  • Forest Park (11990 Chase Plaza)
  • Harrison (1181 Stone Drive)
  • Montfort Heights (5351 North Bend Road)

According to 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.

Other locations scheduled for eviction hearings include Batavia, Fairfield, Hillsboro and Middletown.

Frisch’s was acquired by NRD Partners I, a private equity growth and expansion fund based in Atlanta, in 2015. Since then, over 40 of Frisch’s locations have closed, with just 38 left in the Greater Cincinnati area now, according to its website.

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This article appears in Oct 16-29, 2024.

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...