Farmer Boys
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFarmer Boys is a California-based fast-casual restaurant chain known for burgers, breakfast offerings, and a farm-oriented brand identity.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Farmer Boys is a privately operated American fast-casual restaurant chain headquartered in Riverside, California. The brand primarily serves burgers, breakfast food, sandwiches, salads, sides, and other casual restaurant fare, with a market identity built around farm imagery and made-to-order positioning. Its restaurant base has historically been concentrated in the western United States, especially California, with additional operations in Nevada and Arizona. The chain was established in 1981 by the Havadjias brothers, members of a family that had immigrated from Cyprus. Before creating Farmer Boys, the brothers were involved in several Southern California restaurant businesses. They owned Astro Burgers in Torrance in 1979 and Theodore's Restaurant in Hollywood in 1981, and later operated McCoy's Restaurant in Perris. In August 1981, McCoy's was renamed Farmer Boys, creating the first restaurant under the new brand. Farmer Boys expanded gradually during its first years. Approximately sixteen years after its founding, the chain had grown to eight restaurants. It subsequently received franchise status, enabling a broader expansion model; a Temecula, California location opened later in that period. By 2022, the system comprised more than 100 restaurants across California, Nevada, and Arizona, although the precise current count and ownership structure are not established in the supplied references. The chain has used promotional campaigns to connect its name and visual identity with themes of agriculture, family, and community. In February 2020, it temporarily rebranded as “Farmer Girls” for Women's History Month and International Women's Day. The campaign also renamed its bacon burger “Bacon Girl” and recognized the more than 1,600 women working across the business at the time. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an operational change in March 2020. Farmer Boys temporarily closed restaurant dining rooms while continuing to serve customers through drive-through, delivery, takeout, and pickup channels. This represented a shift toward off-premises service during a period when dine-in operations were widely restricted. Farmer Boys entered Arizona in 2021, making the state its third operating market after California and Nevada. Gilbert was identified as the first Arizona location. In 2022, Joseph Ortiz was promoted to president and chief executive operator. The chain also announced plans to expand into Colorado, with Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo among the locations identified for development. The supplied reference does not establish whether all of those planned restaurants opened or describe the brand's current footprint beyond the cited expansion plans.
History
Farmer Boys originated in Southern California in the early 1980s under the direction of the Havadjias brothers, whose family had immigrated from Cyprus. The brothers had already developed experience in the regional restaurant trade. Their earlier activities included ownership of Astro Burgers in Torrance beginning in 1979 and involvement with Theodore's Restaurant in Hollywood in 1981. They later operated McCoy's Restaurant in Perris, the business that became the foundation for the Farmer Boys concept. In August 1981, McCoy's was renamed Farmer Boys. This conversion established the first restaurant using the new name and marked the beginning of the chain's development as a distinct brand. The concept was rooted in casual American restaurant food and used agricultural and farm-related imagery to differentiate itself within the competitive Southern California burger market. The company expanded at a measured pace. Around sixteen years after its founding, Farmer Boys had reached eight restaurants. The brand later obtained franchise status, allowing it to supplement company development with franchised growth. A restaurant in Temecula opened later in the same period, illustrating the chain's continued movement through Southern California communities. Farmer Boys remained principally associated with California while extending its regional presence into Nevada. By 2022, reference material described the system as having more than 100 restaurants in California, Nevada, and Arizona. The supplied sources do not provide a complete location list, a current restaurant count, or a detailed account of the division between franchised and company-operated restaurants. The brand's modern history includes several efforts to adapt its operations and public communications. In February 2020, it temporarily changed its name to Farmer Girls in recognition of Women's History Month and International Women's Day. The campaign also presented the Bacon Girl burger and honored the chain's more than 1,600 female employees. The initiative connected the brand's established naming convention with a workforce-focused message rather than representing a permanent corporate rename. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major short-term operating adjustment. Beginning in mid-March 2020, Farmer Boys temporarily closed dining rooms. Restaurants continued to serve customers through drive-through windows, delivery, takeout, and pickup, reflecting the broader industry movement toward off-premises ordering during public-health restrictions. In 2021, Farmer Boys entered Arizona, with Gilbert serving as the first location in that state. Arizona became the chain's third state of operation after California and Nevada. In 2022, Joseph Ortiz was promoted to president and chief executive operator, adding a documented leadership transition to the chain's expansion period. The company subsequently identified Colorado as a future growth market. Plans referenced restaurants in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo. The supplied material does not confirm the opening dates or final status of those projects. Overall, Farmer Boys remains an active regional fast-casual chain centered on burgers and related American casual dining products, with its strongest historical base in California and a broader western-state expansion strategy.
- 2024
Colorado expansion is planned
[1]Farmer Boys identified planned restaurants in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo.
- 2022
Joseph Ortiz becomes president and chief executive operator
[1]Joseph Ortiz was promoted to the chain's president and chief executive operator roles.
- 2021
Arizona expansion begins
[1]Gilbert became the chain's first Arizona location, extending its operations to a third state.
- 1998
Franchise status is granted
[1]Farmer Boys received franchise status and subsequently opened a restaurant in Temecula.
- 1997
Chain reaches eight restaurants
[1]Approximately sixteen years after founding, Farmer Boys had grown to eight restaurants.
- 1981
Farmer Boys is founded
[1]The Havadjias brothers founded Farmer Boys after developing experience with several Southern California restaurants.
- 1981
McCoy's Restaurant becomes the first Farmer Boys
[1]McCoy's Restaurant in Perris was renamed Farmer Boys in August, creating the first restaurant under the chain's name.
- 1979
Havadjias brothers operate Astro Burgers
[1]The Havadjias brothers owned Astro Burgers in Torrance before establishing the Farmer Boys brand.
Products and positioning
A California-rooted fast-casual restaurant brand emphasizing burgers, breakfast, casual dining, and a farm-inspired identity.
Fast-casual burgers
Burgers
Burgers are a central part of Farmer Boys' menu and brand identity. The chain's burger offering fits its casual American restaurant format and includes named promotional variations, including the bacon burger referenced in its 2020 Farmer Girls campaign.
Burger
Bacon burger
The bacon burger is a documented Farmer Boys menu item and was given the temporary campaign name “Bacon Girl” during the 2020 Women's History Month and International Women's Day promotion.
Breakfast
Breakfast offerings
Breakfast is part of Farmer Boys' typical restaurant scope, complementing its burger and casual American food business. Specific menu composition and launch dates are not established in the supplied reference material.
Casual dining meals
Sandwiches and salads
The chain's broader casual restaurant menu includes sandwich and salad-style offerings alongside burgers, breakfast food, and sides. The supplied sources do not document individual product names or introduction dates.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Farmer Girls
United States
For Women's History Month and International Women's Day, Farmer Boys temporarily used the name Farmer Girls. The initiative also renamed the bacon burger Bacon Girl and recognized the chain's more than 1,600 female employees.
Outcome. The name change was temporary and functioned as a workforce-recognition and cultural-awareness campaign.
Brand decisions
2024
Plan expansion into ColoradoStrategyBackground
Farmer Boys identified Colorado as a prospective new state market during its broader western expansion.
Action taken
The company planned locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Pueblo.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not confirm which planned locations opened or whether the Colorado rollout was completed.
2021
Expand into ArizonaStrategyBackground
After building its historical base in California and expanding into Nevada, Farmer Boys pursued a third state market.
Action taken
The chain opened its first Arizona location in Gilbert.
Aftermath
Arizona became the chain's third state of operation. No later location count is supplied.
2020
Temporarily suspend dining-room service during COVID-19StrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic created public-health and operating constraints for dine-in restaurants in March 2020.
Action taken
Farmer Boys temporarily closed its dining rooms while maintaining drive-through, delivery, takeout, and pickup service.
Aftermath
The supplied reference does not provide duration, financial results, or a later assessment of the decision.
Recent events
Reported
Farmer Boys announces a one-day $5 sandwich deal[3]
Farmer Boys announced that on Nov. 9, guests could buy the new Loaded Fried Chicken Sandwiches for $5 each from 2 p.m. until close.
Reported
Farmer Boys launches Loaded Fried Chicken Sandwiches[3]
Farmer Boys launched limited-time Loaded Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Fiery and Classic varieties.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Farmer Boys chief marketing officer Larry Rusinko retires[4]
Farmer Boys' current vice president and chief marketing officer, Larry Rusinko, retired after six and a half years with the company.
Reported
Farmer Boys brings back two limited-time menu offerings[5]
Farmer Boys announced the return of its Hog Heaven Breakfast Burrito and Chicken Caesar Salad at all locations in California, Nevada and Arizona for a limited time, through August 30.
Reported
Farmer Boys appoints Joseph Ortiz as finance and accounting VP[6]
Farmer Boys hired Joseph Ortiz as its new Vice President of Finance and Accounting, where he will lead the finance and accounting teams.
Reported
Farmer Boys sponsors Burger Bash[7]
Farmer Boys was a presenting sponsor of The Great American Takeout’s Burger Bash event on National Hamburger Day, May 28. The article reports the sponsorship and says Farmer Boys would offer eligible guests a free Big Cheese burger for a subsequent visit.
Sources8 sources
- 1Farmer Boys (fast casual chain)en.wikipedia.org
- 2Farmer Boys official websitefarmerboys.com
- 3Farmer Boys宣布三明治单日5美元优惠restaurantnewsrelease.com
- 4Farmer Boys首席营销官Larry Rusinko退休restaurantmagazine.com
- 5Farmer Boys限时回归两款餐点restaurantnewsrelease.com
- 6Farmer Boys任命Joseph Ortiz为财务与会计副总裁restaurantnews.com
- 7Farmer Boys赞助Burger Bash活动oakdaleleader.com
- 8Farmer Boys Introduces New and Improved Fish Offerings | RestaurantNewsRelease.comrestaurantnewsrelease.com
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