Bill Gray’s Restaurants

Bill Gray's Restaurants is a cherished regional chain known for serving classic American favorites, particularly its hamburgers, hot dogs, and frozen custard. The company began its journey in 1938 when founders Bill and Alberta Gray opened their first hot dog stand in Webster, New York. Over the years, Bill Gray's has become a beloved fixture in the Greater Rochester area, offering locals a taste of traditional diner-style meals in a nostalgic setting.

By the 1980s, the brand had expanded to multiple locations, introducing its signature cheeseburgers and forming a partnership with Abbott's Frozen Custard to enhance its dessert offerings. Today, as of November 2025, Bill Gray's operates 14 locations across Western New York. These include standalone restaurants as well as co-branded sites with Abbott's, maintaining a strong presence in Monroe County and nearby communities.

Bill Gray's remains privately held and family-operated, without any parent company or franchise operations. The chain is celebrated for its consistent quality and deep local roots. It has successfully adapted its formats to include full-service restaurants, quick-service counters, and sports bar concepts. This flexibility allows Bill Gray's to fit seamlessly into a variety of commercial spaces, from freestanding buildings to in-line shopping center locations.

While the company is not pursuing rapid expansion, it continues to explore growth opportunities within its core Upstate New York markets. Bill Gray's focuses on high-traffic suburban corridors and community-centric locations, making it a reliable and adaptable tenant for commercial real estate professionals.