Iconic Big Boy restaurant teams with the Big House in Ann Arbor

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
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The Big Boy Restaurant Group announced this week a three-year agreement with the University of Michigan to operate a Big Boy restaurant inside the Big House and install its iconic statue, but wearing Michigan football colors.
The Big Boy Restaurant Group announced this week a three-year agreement with the University of Michigan to operate a Big Boy restaurant inside the Big House and install its iconic statue, but wearing Michigan football colors.

Football fans who crave Big Boy burgers and Slim Jim sandwiches will find both — and a Big Boy statue, too — at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

The Big Boy Restaurant Group announced this week a three-year agreement with the University of Michigan to operate a Big Boy restaurant inside the Big House starting with Saturday's football home opener. Big Boy is the second metro Detroit brand to announce concession partnerships at the Michigan Stadium. Buddy's Pizza also recently announced a partnership to bring its iconic Detroit-style pizza to Michigan Stadium as well as Crisler Arena and Yost Arena.

Aside from the food, another fan bonus is that the agreement includes an iconic Big Boy statue inside the stadium. But instead of the classic red and white checkered overalls, Big Boy will sport, of course, what else but maize and blue.

“This is an exciting moment for Big Boy,” Tamer Afr, CEO of Big Boy Restaurant Group, said in a new release. “We know many of the fans at Michigan Stadium are also longtime fans of Big Boy."

In addition to the long-standing Big Boy burger and Slim Jim sandwich food items, waffle fries and shakes are on the menu.

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A Big Boy statue is located near the entrance to the Big Boy restaurant on Ford Road in Canton.
A Big Boy statue is located near the entrance to the Big Boy restaurant on Ford Road in Canton.

“Big Boy and Michigan Athletics are two iconic Michigan institutions,”said Jennifer Cadicamo, vice president and general manager of Michigan Sports Properties, in a news release.  “We each have our own proud and rich local histories, and we’re excited to experience this next chapter of our stories together.”

Founded in 1936, there are 57 Big Boy restaurants across six states, including Michigan. The Big Boy Restaurant Group is headquartered in Southfield.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ann Arbor's Big House adding Big Boy statue and restaurant items