Alex Schoenbaum (August 8, 1915 – December 6, 1996) was an American collegiate football player and businessman in the hospitality industry, eventually operating a chain of restaurants and later, motels.

He is best remembered for developing the Shoney's restaurant chain in the southeastern United States, most of which were originally franchised Big Boy locations.

Alex grew up in West Virginia with three brothers, and worked in his father's bowling establishments in Charleston and Huntington.

In 1952, Schoenbaum obtained the regional marketing rights to the Big Boy trademark, two years later Parkette being renamed Shoney's.

[9] Shoney's prevailed in the Frisch's lawsuit, the final appeal adjudicated after separation from Big Boy.

He was survived by wife Betty Schoenbaum (née Frank), (who became active in civic matters and philanthropy in West Virginia, and her winter hometown of Sarasota, Florida) and their four children Joann, Jeff, Emily, and Raymond.