"Before there was the Big Mac from McDonald's or the Double Baconator from Wendy's, there was the Big Boy. A burger with three buns, two patties, cheese, and all the fixings was invented by Bob Wian in Glendale, California, in 1937. Wian started selling Big Boys at his restaurant, and it grew into such a success that it spun his restaurant into something entirely different, plus several licensed franchises around the country, many of which are still in operation today."
"The retro-themed joints aren't named after Dolly Parton (though mac and cheese is one of Parton's favorite foods), but instead named after the character Big Boy's girlfriend from his comic series originally penned by Stan Lee. In 1956, the first Big Boy comic was published by Timely Comics (which would become Marvel in 1961), inspired by the little character with red hair, wide eyes, and baggy overalls."
"Dolly's restaurants are owned by the Big Boy Restaurant Group (BBRG), the company that eventually took ownership of the original Bob's Big Boy brand created by Wian (one of 13 iconic LA restaurants that have appeared on the big and small screen). Technically, Frisch's Big Boys is just one of the many licensed franchises that sell the Big Boys' food and image, alongside Elias Brothers Big Boy."
Bob Wian invented the Big Boy sandwich in Glendale, California, in 1937, featuring three buns, two patties, cheese, and toppings. The Big Boy concept expanded into licensed franchises nationwide. Dolly's Burgers and Shakes is a retro-themed restaurant chain named after Big Boy's girlfriend from the comics originally penned by Stan Lee; the first Dolly's location opened in Cincinnati in March 2025. Dolly's is owned by the Big Boy Restaurant Group (BBRG) and aims to reintroduce classic Big Boy menu items in Ohio, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, loaded mac and cheese, fried shrimp, and desserts. Frisch's Big Boys has filed a lawsuit alleging trademark infringement.
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