In 1947 Schoenbaum opened his first drive-in restaurant, Parkette, in Charleston. In 1952, Schoenbaum obtained the regional marketing rights to the Big Boy trademark, two years later Parkette being renamed Shoney's. Besides being an operator, Schoenbaum also aggressively subfranchised to others, many as Shoney's and some in the 1950s using their own name.
Schoenbaum initiated his first drive-in restaurant, Parkette, in Charleston in 1947. He subsequently obtained the rights to the Big Boy brand and rechristened Parkette as Shoney's two years later. Moreover, Schoenbaum expanded his business by franchising it to other entrepreneurs, who utilized the Shoney's name, while some operated under their own label in the 1950s.