Private company

Bob's

Logo: Bob's, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

Brazilian fast food restaurant chain

Bob's (Portuguese pronunciation: ) is a Brazilian fast food chain, founded in 1952 by the American Brazilian tennis champion Bob Falkenburg, Wimbledon tournament winner in 1948. The first store was opened in the Copacabana neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. It is the first Brazilian fast food chain.2 It employed 1,500 people.1 It is part of Brazilian Fast Food Corporation.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1952Founded1
Bob's
Photo: Olimor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons5

Bob's (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈbɔbis, ˈbɔb(ɨ)ʃ]) is a Brazilian fast food chain, founded in 1952 by the American Brazilian tennis champion Bob Falkenburg, Wimbledon tournament winner in 1948. The first store was opened in the Copacabana neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. It is the first Brazilian fast food chain.2

Corporate structure

Bob's is part of a group headed by Brazilian Fast Food Corporation. 2 entities, 1 country on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

Built from subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0); major holders from Schedules 13D and 13G. Each entity in the chart links to its source.

The story

Founded by Bob Falkenburg in 1952.1

Bob, as Falkenburg was known, introduced the concept of fast food in the country, opening the first restaurant of this type in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. In 1972, however, Falkenburg sold the store, which is now controlled by Brazilians, in Guarujá. Today the chain has a varied menu.

Bob's is known for serving food with flavors inspired by Brazilian cuisine, such as hamburgers with picanha. One of their main and most popular burgers is the Big Bob, made in a similar fashion and to compete with McDonald's' Big Mac, much like Burger King's Big King. Although similar in composition to the competing burger, it does not contain pickles, and uses its own sauce. In 2024, they started to sell the sauce separately in most Brazilian supermarkets.

The most popular items sold by the franchise are the milkshakes, especially the Ovomaltine flavor. In 2016, Bob's did not renew the exclusivity contract they had with Ovomaltine since 2005; thus, they were not allowed to use the name in branding anymore, prompting McDonald's Brazil to acquire exclusive rights to use the name. However, that did not stop the chain from selling the item, as long as it was named differently.

From Wikipedia’s article on Bob's, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led Bob's, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Products and brands

Business model

In 1984 Bob's started a franchising system, opening new stores in Vitória, Espírito Santo. Since then, Bob's has been expanding within Brazil and internationally. As of June 2011, there are about 811 stores in Brazil, of which about 320 are franchises. At one point, international stores were opened in Portugal (Carcavelos, Algés and Bragança) as well as in Chile and Angola, however since 2021 the company's website shows that they have closed.

Other brands

Bob's Shakes, formerly known as "Bob’s Sorvetes" (Bob's Ice Cream), sells frozen desserts such as ice cream, milkshakes, and pies. It was rebranded to the current name in 2009 due to the increased popularity of its milkshakes compared to regular ice cream.

Bexpress by Bob's offers half-finished and ready sandwiches to be heated in the oven, which can be eaten in or carried out.

From Wikipedia’s article on Bob's, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Subsidiaries and ownership

Parent company

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1952Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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