If you’ve driven past a former Frisch’s Big Boy in the Miami Valley lately, you’ve likely seen the confusing remains of what looks like a restaurant identity crisis. One day it’s the iconic home of the hot fudge cake; the next, it’s a shuttered shell or a temporary-looking spot called "Dolly’s." It’s honestly been a mess. For families who grew up meeting at the Miamisburg or Troy locations, seeing these landmarks caught in a web of lawsuits and eviction notices feels like losing a piece of local history.
The situation is basically a high-stakes turf war. On one side, you have the "hometown" Frisch’s brand, which has struggled through massive debt and evictions. On the other, you have the Michigan-based Big Boy Restaurant Group (BBRG) trying to reclaim the territory. It’s a legal tangle that involves millions in unpaid rent, trademark "restraining orders," and a character named Dolly who was never supposed to be the star of the show.
The Massive Rent Debt That Started the Collapse
Most people think the closures were just about "bad business," but the scale of the financial hole was staggering. In late 2024, NNN REIT, the real estate giant that owns the land under dozens of Frisch’s locations, dropped a bombshell. They filed eviction notices for more than 20 restaurants in Southwest Ohio. Why? Because Frisch’s allegedly owed over $4.5 million in back rent.
That kind of debt doesn't happen overnight. It was the result of a long, slow slide following the 2015 sale of Frisch’s to NRD Capital. The "sale-leaseback" model, where a company sells its land and leases it back to get quick cash, eventually bit them. When the rent wasn't paid, the courts didn't show much mercy. Judges in Hamilton, Montgomery, and Clermont counties began granting evictions one after another.
Enter the "Other" Big Boy: The Battle for the Miami Valley
This is where it gets truly weird. While the local Frisch’s locations were being kicked out of their buildings, the national Big Boy Restaurant Group (BBRG) saw an opening. See, Frisch’s and BBRG are actually separate companies. Under a 2001 agreement, Frisch’s had the exclusive right to use the "Big Boy" name in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. BBRG owned the name everywhere else.
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When BBRG tried to move into the empty Miami Valley buildings to "reopen" them as Big Boys, Frisch’s lawyers hit them with a restraining order. They basically said, "You might own the name in Michigan, but this is our turf."
BBRG had to pivot fast. To keep the doors open in places like Miamisburg and Blue Ash, they rebranded the restaurants as Dolly’s Burgers and Shakes. Dolly is technically Big Boy’s girlfriend in the old comic books, so it was a clever (if desperate) way to keep the vibe without breaking the law.
The Rise and Fall of Dolly’s
The Dolly’s experiment was short-lived. By October 2025, BBRG realized that fighting a multi-front legal battle while operating under a brand nobody recognized was a losing game. They shuttered all six Dolly’s locations in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.
- Miamisburg (Springboro Pike): Opened as Dolly's in March 2025, closed by October.
- Huber Heights & Englewood: Slotted for openings that were eventually choked out by litigation.
- The "Turf War" Reality: BBRG admitted that operating without the Big Boy name was "no longer sustainable."
Who Owns Frisch’s Now?
While the Dolly’s locations were failing, a group of "insiders" tried to save the original brand. In late 2024, a management group led by long-time executives Don Short and Cheryl White acquired the remaining open locations and the future development rights.
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This was a "hail mary" to keep the brand alive. They didn't buy the failing locations tied up in the NNN REIT lawsuits; they focused on the 30 or so restaurants that were still profitable and had stable landlords. If you see a Frisch's still operating today in West Chester, Springfield, or Sidney, it’s likely part of this "survivor" group.
Why Reopening Is So Complicated
You might wonder why someone can't just buy the old buildings and flip the "Open" sign back on. It’s not that simple. The legal battle in the Miami Valley isn't just about who makes the best tartar sauce; it's about three distinct layers of conflict:
- Property Rights: NNN REIT wants their $4.5 million or they want the buildings empty so they can sell to Chick-fil-A or QuikTrip.
- Trademark Rights: The 2001 agreement still locks out the Michigan Big Boy group from using the name in Ohio.
- Debt Obligations: Former employees and vendors (including FC Cincinnati, who sued for $150k in unpaid fees) are still looking for their money.
The "Frisch's reopening legal battle" isn't a single case; it's a dozen different lawsuits scattered across different counties.
Actionable Steps for Miami Valley Diners
If you're missing your Big Boy fix, here is how you can navigate the current landscape without getting lost in the legal weeds.
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Check the "Survivor" List First
Don't trust Google Maps blindly—many "temporarily closed" locations are actually gone for good. The locations in Sidney, Springfield (East Main St.), and West Chester have remained more stable throughout the management shift. Always call ahead before making the drive.
Watch the Real Estate Filings
Keep an eye on local zoning meetings in towns like Troy and Huber Heights. Many former Frisch's buildings are already being eyed for conversion into car washes or medical clinics. If a "Notice of Proposed Development" sign goes up, that location is likely never returning as a restaurant.
Support the "New" Management
If you want the brand to survive, visit the locations operated by the new management group (FRM Franchising). They are the ones currently investing in "Grand Re-Openings," such as the Blue Ash location, which saw a recent push to modernize and stay relevant.
The legal dust hasn't fully settled, but the era of a Frisch’s on every corner in the Miami Valley is over. We're looking at a smaller, leaner version of the brand—if it can survive the weight of its own history.