Who created the Big Boy hamburger at Bob's Pantry?

Bob Wian created the Big Boy hamburger at Bob’s Pantry.

Wian opened the 10-stool hamburger stand in Glendale, California, in 1936 after buying it with money from selling his car. About six months later, he improvised a double-decker sandwich for a customer who wanted something unusual. He sliced the bun into three parts and placed two beef patties inside, creating the signature Big Boy hamburger.

The sandwich became so popular that Wian renamed the restaurant Bob’s Big Boy. The name “Big Boy” came from the nickname given to a large child who visited the restaurant, rather than from a separate restaurant founder. Wian later developed the business into a national chain and licensed the brand to regional operators.

A common mix-up is crediting Big Boy’s creation to McDonald’s or its Big Mac. The Big Mac appeared later, in 1967, and was influenced by earlier double-decker hamburgers such as Wian’s creation. Bob Wian sold his restaurant company and Big Boy rights to Marriott in 1967.