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Big Boy Operator Shutters Six Dolly’s Restaurants in Ohio as Trademark Fight Persists

The exits follow a court order barring use of the Big Boy name in Southwest Ohio.

Overview

  • Big Boy Restaurant Group is closing all six Dolly's Burgers & Shakes sites in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas on Oct. 23.
  • Two locations curtailed service before the announced final day, with Blue Ash posting a closure notice and Groesbeck not opening Thursday morning.
  • Frisch's sued over regional trademark rights and secured a temporary restraining order that blocks use of the Big Boy name in the area.
  • The operator rebranded the new restaurants to Dolly's after the order and now says it is stepping back from Southwest Ohio but hopes to return if the dispute is resolved.
  • Big Boy moved into former Frisch's sites after lease takeovers tied to more than $4.5 million in unpaid rent as Frisch's contracted to just over 30 restaurants from about 80 in 2024.