Inspired by the spirit of the heartland, Farmer Boys restaurant was built on homegrown goodness and raised on family pride. Founded by the five Havadjias brothers, the first Farmer Boys restaurant opened its doors in Perris, California in 1981. Our generous portions and farm-fresh food quickly gained a loyal following, and by 1997, seven more family owned restaurants appeared across Southern California. Eager to share their success, the Havadjias brothers granted their first franchise in 1998. A year later, the first independently owned Farmer Boys restaurant opened in Temecula, California. At last count, there were 72 Farmer Boys restaurants at locations all over Southern and Central California and in Nevada. Today, thanks to an ever-expanding franchise operation, the Farmer Boys family continues to grow.
Click the years on the timeline below and follow the Farmer Boys story from past to present. It’s a fun way to take a journey through time from the family farm our founders called home in the 1960s to our ever-growing success that has spanned more than four decades!
2011
FARMER BOYS TURNS 30!
Farmer Boys to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2011.
2010
HESPERIA
Farmer Boys continues to grow with a new location in Hesperia, California.
2009
FARMER’S BURGER® TAKES ANOTHER WIN
Voters on the myFOXla HOTLIST vote our Farmer Boys Farmer’s Burger® number #1 for the second year in a row. Farmer Boys opens another location in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Riverbank, in the Stanislaus County of the Central Valley of California.
2008
AWARD WINNING BURGER
Farmer Boys Farmer’s Burger® is named “Best Burger” in Southern California by KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and bestowed by myFOXla HOTLIST voters. The Farmer’s Burger® is also named “Best Burger” in the Inland Empire Magazine.
2006
THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA
Farmer Boys adds 3 more counties by opening a Farmer Boys in Hanford (So. Central San Joaquin Valley), Tulare (Tulare County) and Clovis (Fresno County).
2005
50TH FARMER BOYS
October 2005 marks the opening of the 50th Farmer Boys, located on Madison Street, approximately one block east of the 91 freeway in Riverside.
2004
KERN COUNTY IS #6
With the opening of the Bakersfield location, Farmer Boys will be found in six California Counties: Kern, L.A., Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
2003
25 IN 22
The San Jacinto opening marks the 25th Farmer Boys in the twenty-two years since the first unit opened in 1981. It will take the company only 2 more years to double in size to 50 units.
2001
LORD OF THE ONION RINGS
A Riverside Press-Enterprise writer refers to Farmer Boys as “Lord of the Onion Rings”, describing our rings as “monster truck tires” compared to competitors’ “puny little training wheels”.
2000
TO LIVE & DINE IN L.A.
The first L.A. County Farmer Boys opens in April near the 10 freeway on Alameda Street in Los Angeles. The second L.A. County location opens less than two weeks later in Irwindale.
1999
THE FIRST FRANCHISE
Growth continues with the opening of the first franchised location in the growing community of Temecula. Neighboring Murrieta will later become the site of yet another Farmer Boys.
1995
8 IS NOT ENOUGH
The Havadjias brothers open the eighth family-owned Farmer Boys – this one in Fontana. They begin to discuss the possibility of franchising as a way to continue the growth of the company.
1988
SAN BERNARDINO CO.
Farmer Boys opens their first San Bernardino county location on farm land in Ontario. The Grove Avenue site is the first of what will become four locations in the city of Ontario.
1986
IN THE O.C.
The second Farmer Boys opens in Anaheim and the company officially becomes a chain. This is the first Farmer Boys to be built from the ground up and is also the first Orange County location.
1984
FARMER’S BURGER
The bountiful Farmer’s Burger is a hit and will ultimately garner praise from a number of critics as one of Southern California’s best burgers. It becomes a signature food item at Farmer Boys.
1981
GOING HOLLYWOOD
The brothers buy Theodor’s restaurant in Hollywood. Here, they begin to appreciate the difference between fast food and full-service restaurants and the unique appeal offered by each.
1981
THE FIRST FARMER BOYS
The brothers buy McCoy’s restaurant in Perris, California, and change the name to Farmer Boy. The name is later changed to Farmer Boys to reflect the brother’s farm heritage.
1973
THE AMERICAN DREAM
Makis Havadjias leaves Cyprus and comes to California to attend Northrup University. Soon, Harry and Chris join him and in 1979 they buy their first restaurant, Astro Burger in Torrance, CA.
1960'S
CYPRUS BEGINNINGS
Growing up on the island of Cyprus, the Havadjias brothers work on the family farm and in the family restaurant. They learn the importance of hard work and showing hospitality to strangers.
