The menu, presentation, counter seating and grilling area are based on an original restaurant from 1947 (still operating today), The Apple Pan in West Los Angeles. Hamburgers are grilled-to-order in full view of the customers and are served wrapped in paper in metal baskets.[6][7][8] One location in Hawaii is called "Rock 'n Fun" and also has an arcade.[9]
Johnny Rockets was founded on June 6, 1986, by Ronn Teitelbaum of Los Angeles, California, and "crafted as a 'nongimmicky' recreation of the 1940s-vintage malt shops of his childhood". The first restaurant was established as a 20-stool counter operation on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.[7] This location permanently closed on October 26, 2015.[10] Teitelbaum died from brain cancer on September 11, 2000, at age 61.[7]
In February 2007, it was announced[11] that RedZone Capital, the private equity firm of Daniel Snyder, was set to acquire the chain. Snyder announced plans to expand the chain both within the United States and worldwide, including the launch of smaller outlets known as Johnny Rockets Express. Snyder recruited industry veteran Lee Sanders from Buffalo Wild Wings, formerly with Dunkin Brands, General Mills, and Pepsico, to serve as president and CEO, and board member. Sanders ran the business for almost four years.
A sit-down restaurant owned by Six Flags Great Escape (RedZone was the largest shareholder at the time), Trappers Adirondack Grill, was converted to a Johnny Rockets in June 2008.[12] A few years later Six Flags New England would also get a Johnny Rocket's near the Superman: Ride Of Steel.[13]
In April 2009, the new Yankee Stadium opened with Johnny Rockets stands throughout the site. These stands serve traditional Johnny Rockets hamburgers, french fries, shakes, and malts, among other menu items. FedExField, home of the Washington Commanders (the stadium and team were owned by Snyder, whose company owned Johnny Rockets at the time), features Johnny Rockets concession areas.[14]
The world's largest Johnny Rockets franchise opened on June 6, 2012, at the corner of Abraham Lincoln Avenue and Bolivar Avenue in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic. The restaurant has more than 6,000 square feet (560m2) and seating for more than 200 guests.[15]
The first Johnny Rockets restaurant in Pakistan was opened in 2013 in Karachi.[19][20] and later in Lahore and Islamabad in 2014.[21] Johnny Rockets opened its first branch in Paraguay on December 16, 2016, in Shopping Mariscal, Asunción.[22][23] In 2016, they also opened branches in Peru and Bolivia.[citation needed]
The first European Johnny Rockets restaurant was opened in Brescia, Italy, on September 22, 2016, in Elnòs Shopping Center.
In Indonesia, Johnny Rockets has several locations located across Jabodetabek metro area but after the 2020 pandemic, all were closed. Leaving 2 branches left in the country. One is located in Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and one in the city center of Jakarta inside Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel.
Several Royal Caribbean International cruise ships have Johnny Rockets restaurants operating on board.
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