Bob Wian
American restaurateur (1914–1992)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert C. Wian (June 15, 1914 – March 31, 1992) was an American businessman and restaurateur best known as the founder of the Big Boy restaurant chain. Wian began the chain as a 10-stool hamburger stand in Glendale, California, opening in 1936 with an investment of $300 raised from the sale of his car. He sold Bob's Big Boy and rights to the Big Boy chain to the Marriott Corporation in 1967 for $7 million[4] ($68 million in 2025).[5]
- Restaurateur
- businessman
- fry cook
Bob Wian | |
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Wian c. 1948 | |
| Born | June 15, 1914 |
| Died | March 31, 1992 (aged 77) |
Burial place | Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1933–1969 |
| Known for | Founding Bob's Big Boy and the national Big Boy chain; inventing the double-deck hamburger |
Board member of |
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| Spouses | |
| Mayor of Glendale, California | |
| In office October 1948 – April 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph F. Baudino |
| Succeeded by | George R. Wickham |
| Signature | |
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Biography
Wian was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Robert E. Wian and his wife Cora. The Wians moved to Glendale in 1924 while the younger Wian was still a child.[6] Wian served as the mayor of the city of Glendale from October 1948[7] to April 1949[8] replacing a mayor who was removed by a recall election.[9] He continued on the city council but resigned in August 1948,[10][11] citing conflicts with Bob's Big Boy and "a desire to make an occasional fishing trip".[12] Wian was also a member of the service organization 20-30 Club, serving as president of the local Glendale club, governor of the Southern California district,[13] and as national trustee.[14]
After selling Big Boy, Wian remained as a Marriott vice-president and president of the "Big Boy Restaurants of America" division for about a year, then sat on the Marriott board for an additional year before retiring. As a board member, Wian recommended Marriott approach his friend Roy Rogers about the use of his name to rebrand the corporation's RoBee's Roast Beef chain.
Wian married Frances Abbott in 1935,[1] who bore his only natural son, Robert Paul "Bobby" Wian (1936–1973). Following his divorce from Abbott in 1956,[2] he married June Ealey Baehler in 1957, becoming step-father to her son, Chapman "Chappy" Baehler, and daughter Barbara Baehler.[3] The couple also adopted a son, Casey, and daughter, Julie. His joy in Casey and Julie, and his time with them too limited by business, influenced his decision to sell Big Boy.[15][16]
Wian retired in the 1970s and enjoyed outdoor activities on his 800-acre ranch in Valyermo, California, where he lived until relocating to Newport Beach in 1985.[11] He died in Newport Beach on March 31, 1992, at the age of 77.[17]
