Posted: Jan. 18, 2010
Louis Elias: From a diner in Hazel Park, he and brothers built Big Boy franchise

BY STEVE NEAVLING
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


Louis Elias lived the restaurant business.

Apart from a fleeting passion for thoroughbred horses, Mr. Elias spent long days and nights as franchiser of the entire Big Boy chain until it was sold in 2000.

Mr. Elias, 93, died Thursday at his home in West Bloomfield.

Family, friends and former employees are to gather today to say good-bye to the last of the three Elias brothers, who became Big Boy Restaurant franchisees in 1952.

"If you asked him what his hobbies were, he'd say the restaurant business," nephew Chris Elias said Sunday. "It was his life and passion. He worked long hours every day."

In 1938, Mr. Elias and his two brothers, John and Fred Sr., launched their first business venture, Fred's Chili Bowl in Detroit. Four years later, they were one of the first Midwesterners to offer curbside services with a 16-seat diner -- Dixie Drive-In in Hazel Park. It became Big Boy in 1952.

John Elias died in 1974.

By 1984, Fred and Louis Elias became the worldwide franchisers of the Big Boy Restaurant system, operating more than 900 Big Boys in the U.S., Canada and Japan.

Despite his long hours, Louis Elias served as mayor of Hazel Park from 1953 to 1961, donating his salary to charity, according to the Michigan State University Alumni Association.

When Mr. Elias retired in 2000, he dined out often with family and friends, commenting on the quality of the restaurants and how they could improve. His passion never seemed to subside, family members said.

"He kept a business mind," his nephew said.

Mr. Elias is survived by sisters Ann Hanson and Helen Morgan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther.

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. today at the Antiochian Basilica of St. Mary, 18100 Merriman Road, Livonia. Visitation is to begin at 10 a.m.

Contact STEVE NEAVLING: 586-826-7255 or sneavling@freepress.com
http://freep.com/article/20100118/NE...-Boy-franchise