Investor to Buy Big Boy Chain Eateries

A federal bankruptcy judge signed off on an investor’s plan to buy trademark and franchise rights to Big Boy restaurants in a $24.8-million cash deal, preserving one of dining’s best-known logos. In addition to the rights to the Warren, Mich.-based chain of 455 Big Boy eateries, Robert Liggett Jr. also will buy the commissary-and-concession division from Elias Bros. Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October. Liggett also acquires 19 company-owned Big Boys. Liggett, who founded the Liggett Broadcast Group, which merged this year with Citadel Communications Co., said he had no immediate plans for major changes in the 65-year-old restaurant chain.