Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants in Lexington are slated to close. Others in Kentucky are, too
At least a dozen Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants in Kentucky, including both locations in Lexington, have been ordered to close.
But it is unclear when that might happen; both Lexington restaurants remain open as of Dec. 4.
According to a letter obtained by the Herald-Leader, Frisch’s landlord, NNN REIT, sent a notice on Nov. 25 ordering the Lexington stores — at 1849 Alysheba Way and 1927 Harrodsburg Road — to vacate the buildings.
The landlord said that the restaurants, as well as 10 others in Kentucky, had defaulted on the rent owed and were ordered to vacate “within seven (7) days” or the landlord would pursue eviction and other legal action, including lawsuits for damages and filing a petition of involuntary bankruptcy.
No eviction notice apparently has been filed yet in Fayette County courts; no court date has been set.
The closures are the latest blow to the struggling Cincinnati-based restaurant chain. Many of the chain’s Ohio locations are already being evicted, and several have closed. Several vendors for the once-thriving restaurant filed suit recently in Ohio over unpaid bills including coffee and IT services.
Managers at the Lexington locations have declined to comment. They referred media to the corporate office in Cincinnati, which has not responded to requests for comment. A spokesman for NNN REIT also did not respond to a request for comment.
It’s unclear how many employees in Lexington would be impacted by the closures.
In addition to Lexington, the other locations on the Kentucky closure list attached to the letter include:
▪ 843 Bypass Rd. in Winchester,
▪ 1731 Patrick Dr. in Burlington
▪ 6808 Burlington Pike in Florence
▪ 7908 Dream St. in Florence
▪ 157 Keystone Crossroad Dr. in Shepherdsville
▪ 5010 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring
▪ 2112 Declaration Dr. in Independence
▪ 4016 Dixie Highway in Erlanger
▪ 494 Orphanage Rd. in Fort Mitchell
▪ 408 Market Square Dr. in Maysville.
The Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants in Georgetown and Frankfort are not on the list; they may be part of a group purchased as part of a management-led buyout.
The fate of other corporate-owned Kentucky Frisch’s restaurants in Dry Ridge, Cold Spring, Highland Heights, Fort Mitchell, Covington and Louisville is unclear.
Other Frisch’s locations in Kentucky, including Somerset and London, that are owned by franchisees are not impacted. Those locations remain open.
A press release posted on Frischs.com in November said that a management group has bought multiple locations and future development rights to try to save the restaurant but did not disclose which locations are involved.
The statement made it clear that some struggling locations will close.
“The company has made efforts to negotiate a resolution for all the viable units to stay open permanently, or at least through the holidays, to save thousands of employees’ jobs and benefits, but to no avail,” according to the statement. “However, Frisch’s continues to work tirelessly to operate as many restaurants as possible while facing eviction proceedings on select units. The brand consists of locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.”
On Tuesday, Frisch’s Big Boy posted on its social media that the restaurant “is here to stay!”
What has happened to Frisch’s in, around Cincinnati
In Ohio, the landlord that owns the restaurant properties has sued to evict multiple locations. Orlando-based NNN REIT, which owns 66 Frisch’s, including the two Lexington locations, has said in court documents that an unspecified number face eviction, including more than 20 properties in Southwest Ohio.
NNN REIT claims Frisch’s owes more than $4.5 million in rent.
The real estate investment trust, which owns hundreds of restaurants, convenience stores, gyms, movie theaters, car washes and retail stores, bought the properties in 2015 when Frisch’s sold them. The chain has leased them back ever since.
The same year, Atlanta-based private equity fund NRD Partners I, made up of restaurant franchisees, purchased the chain in 2015 for $175 million. More than 40 locations were closed in the wake of that sale.
What is happening next
According to previous reports, in the last six weeks, Frisch’s has closed about 10 locations in Ohio. Five more in Ohio and Northern Kentucky closed last spring.
More could be coming as eviction notices continue to be filed in Ohio. A court hearing in Hamilton County, Ohio, is scheduled for Dec. 13 on five more filed on Dec. 1.
Historic regional restaurant chain
The 77-year-old chain was started in 1947 by Dave Frisch, whose father Samuel also operated restaurants in Cincinnati. Dave Frisch in 1939 opened the Mainliner restaurant, Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in, named after the first tri-motor passenger airplane.
A replica of the plane still graces the sign of the Frisch’s restaurant in Fairfax, which is one of five that the landlord is now suing to evict.
In 1946, Dave Frisch was introduced to a double-decker hamburger called the “Big Boy,” and secured permission to adopt the concept. He added a special tartar sauce and an instant hit was born the next year.
The chain also is known for its iconic Big Boy character in checkered overalls holding aloft the famous burger.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 1:47 PM.
