Big Boy Franchisee Signs Agreement to Sell Four of its Restaurants to Franchisor

The locations to be sold are in Gaylord, Petoskey and Cheboygan and the Big Boy restaurant located on Chisholm Street in Alpena. Ludlow Enterprises will continue to own and operate the Big Boy restaurant in Alpena on Ripley Boulevard. This location will remain under the supervision of long-time manager Sheila Panknin.

Ludlow Enterprises President and CEO Brian Ludlow said, "We have had a great relationship with Big Boy Restaurants for over 30 years. I know their standards for excellence. Our staff will be in great hands and I have absolute confidence that they will continue the tradition of great food, great service and community support. This is the right time to shift our focus to other ventures and opportunities, while continuing to stay very involved in our communities. Big Boy International was looking to strengthen its company store presence so the timing and alignment is perfect for the transition." As part of the agreement, Ludlow Enterprises will retain the real estate at the Big Boy locations as well as its Jungle Family Fun Center, Mancino's Pizza & Grinders, Ludlow Sales Company, Tri-Star Properties LLC, and Lud's Hamburger operations.

Big Boy Restaurants International LLC Chief Executive Officer Tony Michaels said, "We are excited about the opportunity to continue the Ludlow tradition of running great Big Boy restaurants and becoming an integral part of the communities we will be serving. We support the Ludlow family as they move onto other ventures. At the same time, the good news is they will remain part of the Big Boy system and family by continuing to own and operate one of the Big Boy restaurants in Alpena."

The Ludlow family became Big Boy franchisees in 1972 when Miles Ludlow, the company's founder, opened the Big Boy in Alpena on the Thunder Bay River. In 1976, the Ludlows expanded to Gaylord and opened the largest Big Boy in the world with two levels of dining. In 1978, Miles Ludlow opened the Big Boy in Cheboygan on the Inland waterway. "You can boat to anywhere in the world from our dock," Miles Ludlow would say. In 1979, the Ludlow family purchased the Big Boy in Petoskey, which at the time was located on the corner of U.S. 31 and 131 on the site of the current Hunan Restaurant. However, Miles Ludlow soon realized the demand for Big Boy would outgrow the location, so he purchased the old Kroger store next door and built the current Petoskey restaurant. The company eventually added a second store in Alpena on Ripley Boulevard.

All of the locations involved in the sale have liquor licenses and will continue to serve beer and wine after the liquor licenses are transferred to Big Boy Restaurants International LLC.

"The biggest thanks of all goes out to the hundreds of staff who have continually delivered quality food and service to our guests over the years. They are the real champions in our company," Ludlow said. "They have made it possible for our company to support hundreds of charitable causes and programs throughout the years." Ludlow continued, "In your career there's a time to plant ... and a time to harvest. I am extremely excited about venturing out into new industries and opportunities."

Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Big Boy Restaurants International LLC is the exclusive worldwide franchiser of more than 455 Big Boy Restaurants in the United States and Japan.


Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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