History
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, 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 also got a Johnny Rockets 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 6000 sqft and seating for more than 200 guests.[15]
In 2013, RedZone Capital Management sold the company to Sun Capital Partners.[16]
On August 13, 2020, Johnny Rockets was acquired by FAT Brands (parent company of Fatburger) for $25 million.[17]
On January 26, 2026, parent company FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to shed billions of dollars in debt. The company listed assets and liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion.[18]
International
Johnny Rockets operates restaurants in Australia, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates.[19]
The first Johnny Rockets restaurant in Pakistan was opened in 2013 in Karachi.[20][21]
