Robert C. Wian (June 15, 1914 – March 31, 1992) was the founder of the Big Boy restaurant chain. The restaurant started as a 10-stool hamburger stand in Glendale, California, opening in 1936 with an investment of $300 raised from the sale of his car. Wian sold Bob's Big Boy and rights to the Big Boy chain to the Marriott Corp. in 1967 for $7 million[4] ($64 million in 2023).[5]
Bob Wian | |
|---|---|
 Wian c. 1948 | |
| Born | June 15, 1914 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US[1] |
| Died | March 31, 1992 (aged 77) |
| Burial place | Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, California |
| Occupation(s) | Restaurateur, businessman, fry cook |
| 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 |
|
| Spouses | |
| Mayor of Glendale, California | |
| In office October 1948 – April 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph F. Baudino |
| Succeeded by | George R. Wickham |
| Signature | |
 | |
Biography
editWian 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, CA where he lived until relocating to Newport Beach in 1985.[11]
Wian died in Newport Beach, California, in 1992.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Vital Records: Marriage Licenses Issued". The San Bernardino County Sun. September 11, 1935. p. 17. Retrieved November 17, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
WIAN-ABBOT—Robert Charles Wian, 21, Pennsylvania, resident of Eagle Rock and Frances Lenore Abbott, 18, New York, resident of Burbank.
- ^ a b "Divorces Granted". The Los Angeles Times. May 11, 1956. p. III–9. Retrieved May 19, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
WIAN. Frances L. from Robert C.
- ^ a b "Wian, June". Obituaries/funeral announcements. The Los Angeles Times. October 5, 2007. p. B9. Retrieved May 19, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marriott-Hot Shoppes Negotiating Acquisition Of Wian Enterprises". The Wall Street Journal. December 8, 1966. p. 10 es. ProQuest 133077023.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Yamada, Katherine (November 1, 2003). "Wian estate designated historical landmark". Glendale News-Press.
- ^ "Wian Sworn in as Glendale's Youngest Mayor". Los Angeles Times. October 5, 1948. p. 15. ProQuest 165899170 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayors' Gallery". [City of] Glendale, California. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ "Recall Ousts Mayor, Three Councilmen". Los Angeles Times. August 11, 1948. p. B6. ProQuest 165892776 – via Newspapers.com.
Mayor Joseph F. Baudino and three Councilmen were recalled in a special election today, the vote running approximately 4 to 3 against them.
- ^ "Four Elected to Glendale City Council". Los Angeles Times. September 29, 1948. p. 2. ProQuest 165839553 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Lait, Matt (April 1, 1992). "Robert C. Wian, Founder of Bob's Big Boy, Dies at 77". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ "Councilman resigns, wants to go fishing". The San Bernardino County Sun. August 31, 1949. p. 14. Retrieved February 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
His resignation from the council was accepted yesterday after he said his business interests and 'a desire to make an occasional fishing trip' conflicted with his civic job.
- ^ "District 20-30 convention set". The Los Angeles Times. June 10, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved December 4, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Club to observe Founders' Night: Past presidents of 20-30 to be guests". The San Bernardino County Sun. August 23, 1945. p. 11. Retrieved January 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Searl, Laura (June 9, 1986). "Big Boy's original Bob takes it easy in Newport". Orange County Register. Santa Ana, CA. pp. D1, D4. Retrieved April 23, 2020 – via newspaperarchive.com.
'And my kids were growing up before my eyes. I decided it was time to leave.'
- ^ Hansen, Christian (2002). The Big Boy Story: King of Them All. Santa Barbara: Haagen Printing. pp. 130–131. ISBN 9780967194363.
- ^ "Robert C. Wian, Restaurant Founder, 77". The New York Times. April 4, 1992.
