The regional chain restaurant Frisch's Big Boy has been hit with a wave of evictions threatening its imprint across Southwest Ohio. According to FOX19, a Hamilton County magistrate ruled on Wednesday to evict six Frisch's Big Boy locations, requiring them to vacate within a week. The establishments affected include well-frequented spots in Norwood, Blue Ash, Colerain Township, Cheviot, Symmes Township, and Delhi Township.
Following the eviction orders, a new set of closures has been announced. WCPO reports that this adds to the recent shutdowns, which included two Butler County franchises that ceased operations last week. The company faces declining numbers from its original 78 locations in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana to potentially more than half that count pending evictions.
Documentation filed with Hamilton County courts revealed that the real estate investment trust, N Reit, is pursuing aggressive actions against Frisch for a significantly overdue rent amount that exceeds $4.5 million. Frisch's October 2024 rent bill alone reportedly stands at $1.2 million, "regardless of whether Frisch’s is occupying 6 or 65 properties," according to an extract from the court documents referenced in the Local12 report.
The fallout has not been without an emotional component, with community members expressing their dismay over the closures. "I cried with them," said a regular at the Middletown location, as reported by WCPO. "It is a family, and here we are to say goodbye and good luck." With eviction proceedings still pending for multiple locations, the future of the iconic restaurant chain hangs in the balance.
While the closures mark a significant change in the regional dining landscape, the situation remains fluid, with additional eviction hearings scheduled throughout November for other locations. These hearings are crucial for the struggling chain as it navigates through the challenges posed by the substantial rental arrears and the dictates of the commercial real estate market.
