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Fast Food Maven ~ Restaurant news, trends and culture by Nancy Luna.

Archive for the 'Johnny Rockets' Tag

Latest O.C. closures: Carl’s Jr., Black Angus, Johnny Rockets & Cold Stone Creamery

October 30th, 2009, 4:27 pm by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

johnnyrocketslogoUpdated 11/3/09

Here are the latest restaurant casualties added to the O.C. Closure list.

  • The Juice it Up shop at University Center across the street from UCI closed Oct. 24. A representative for the Irvine-based smoothie chain said “the Irvine Company required them (to) vacate by October 31. Their lease was up and not renewed.”
  • Johnny Rockets in Lake Forest closed Oct. 6.
  • Topz in Santa Ana and Orange have closed. Both phones have been disconnected. The concept focused on serving “healthier” lean burgers such as Black Angus, turkey and veggie burgers. Topz also offered “air-baked” fries.
  • The Carl’s Jr. at 1301 E. Chapman Ave. in Fullerton closed Monday, Oct. 26.  Carl’s Jr. officials said the restaurant was an older unit with no drive-through and the lease expired.
  • The Black Angus at 205 E. Imperial Hwy. in Fullerton has closed, according to the restaurant’s answering black-angus-mediummachine.  This is the third Black Angus to close this year in Orange County. Steak houses in Lake Forest and Tustin shut down in the spring. The Northern California steakhouse chain has closed several restaurants since filing for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection in January.
  • Cold Stone Creamery in Orange in the Target shopping center and across the street from the Orange mall is now closed. The sign on the door said, “Out of business.”  The nearby Golden Spoon Yogurt shop has a banner stating “Welcome Cold Stone customers.” The Cold Stone Creamery in Placentia (at Kraemer & Yorba Linda) closed in September. (11/3 update: The Cold Stone Creamery in Lake Forest closed in the same center as Johnny Rockets )
  • A Mexican restaurant on Grand Avenue in Santa Ana, near the 22 Freeway, is closed.  (Sorry, the lettering on the sign was ripped off, and I can’t recall the name of the place.)

    • Got a tip on a closure? Post a comment on the closure list or email me at nluna@ocregister.com. If possible, send a photo of any “closure” sign you spot.

Posted in: Fast food news • • | 103 Comments »

Johnny Rockets to expand to 1,000 units

July 10th, 2009, 5:46 am by Staff Writer, the Orange County Register

johnnyrocketslogoJohnny Rockets is slated to open this fall its first restaurant in Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean situated just south of Turkey.

The announcement comes as the burger brand accelerates its global expansion. The 274-unit chain plans to build 1,000 Johnny Rockets restaurants over the next five years.

Johnny Rockets operates  more than 40 restaurants in more than 11 countries outside the United States.

But the Lake Forest-based chain is betting that the brand will see dollar signs in more regions, including China, Mexico, Korea and Malaysia.

 

“[Johnny Rockets] represents an iconoclastic American brand that needs no translation,”  said Van Epps, international franchising consultant for Johnny Rockets in Asia.

The company has a 10-restaurant franchising agreement in Mexico City and 12 in East Mexico.

The plan is to build up to 150 in Mexico and 150 in China within five years, chain officials said.

The chain is also looking at expanding to Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

(By Miki Fujiwara/Staff writer-intern)

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Posted in: Burger Joints • Fast food news • Restaurant openings • • • • • | 10 Comments »

Big SoCal burger chain to launch mobile food truck

July 2nd, 2009, 5:01 am by Staff Writer, the Orange County Register

johnnyrockets-truck-2

The Redskins will be first try Johnny Rockets on wheels.

The Redskins will be first try Johnny Rockets on wheels.

In 2008, we had the Year of the Froyo. Now, it looks as if 2009 will go down as the Year of the Meals on Wheels.

Savvy restaurant entrepreneurs are delivering Korean-Mexican tacos, gourmet ice cream and fancy cupcakes in mobile food trucks.

Now, joining the roach coach bandwagon — Johnny Rockets.

The Lake Forest-based chain announced plans this week to build and sell mobile restaurant units. The first Johnny Rockets food truck will debut July 30 at the training camp for the Washington Redskins football team. The organization’s owner, RedZone Capital, is also the parent company of Johnny Rockets.

The truck is Johnny Rockets’ way of “thinking outside the box” when it comes to building the chain’s brand,  company spokeswoman Cozette Phifer said.

Each mini-burger truck will have a 22 foot kitchen and a 14 foot trailer. Each is designed to provide a condensed Johnny Rockets menu consisting of hamburgers, shakes, fries, hot dogs, chicken tenders and maybe even onion rings.

Phifer said a second mobile truck will launch soon in the Middle East. The plan is to eventually sell franchise rights for more “roaming” trucks, especially in California.

“We see this truck as being able to go anywhere, especially in Los Angeles,” Phifer said.

Although no deals have been signed yet in California, Phifer said local Johnny Rockets operators are showing interest in running a mobile burger van.  The chain is also considering using the vans for special events — similar to catering trucks operated by Original Tommy’s Hamburgers, In-N-Out Burger and Carl’s Jr.

“There’s endless possibilities.”

Once more get off the ground, the trucks will use social media platforms such as Facebook to let diners know where to find them.

With a passion for classic American fare, Ronn Teitelbaum invested $380,000 in the first Johnny Rockets diner in 1986 in Los Angeles. The eatery opened to snaking lines on Melrose Avenue and eventually became a cult hit with celebrities such as Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor.

Diners feature jukeboxes, red-vinyl booths and chrome counters. Servers sing or hum songs as they work and pour ketchup in the form of smiley faces.

(By Miki Fujiwara and Nancy Luna/Staff writers)

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Posted in: Burger Joints • Fast food news • In-N-Out Burger • • • • • | 13 Comments »

O.C. eateries make Consumer Reports’ best, worst list

June 3rd, 2009, 6:42 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Consumer Reports released this week its “Restaurant Satisfaction Survey,”  a comprehensive study of 101 chains — including several based in Orange County.

Mimi's Cafe Just Enough cheap eats is resonating with diners.

Mimi's Cafe Just Enough cheap eats is resonating with diners.

Here are some highlights from the survey:

  • First the good news: Tustin-based Mimi’s Cafe topped the list for the category titled, “Great Meals for less than $20.” Joining Mimi’s were Abuelo’s, Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, Elephant Bar Restaurant and Texas Roadhouse. (Mimi’s Cafe same-store sales slide 7.1 percent for 4Q.)
  • Best takeout food went to Famous Dave’s, Carraba’s Italian Grill, Olive Garden and P.F. Chang’s.

    • Now for the bad news: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Fast food news • Value Deals • • • • • • | 92 Comments »

Burgers to drool over & debate

May 14th, 2009, 6:06 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
umama_truffleburger

Umami Burger comes close to perfection

I don’t know about you, but I can’t keep up with all the new burger creations and burger joints popping up these days. We’re being seduced by all types of juicy patties — from the sultry “Fifth Taste” burgers at Umami in Los Angeles to new sliders at Burger King, Jack in the Box and Johnny Rockets.

I’ve tried many of these burgers over the past few months. In my quest for the perfect patty, I’ve also tried a few “classic” must-have burgers at legendary joints such as the Pie ‘n Burger in Pasadena and Bob’s Big Boy. The latter visit was done to prepare myself for the return of Bob’s to Orange County.

So, in honor of National Hamburger Month (May), here’s a rundown of my encounters. (Note:  Many of these places are NOT in Orange County. But they are in high-profile cities that I know many of you escape to on occasion.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Burger Joints • Fast food news • In-N-Out Burger • • • • • • • | 63 Comments »

Johnny Rockets adding pint-size burgers, hot dogs

March 18th, 2009, 4:54 am by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

Johnny Rockets is boosting its fast-food offerings.

Today, the Lake Forest-based chain is expected to announce three major additions to its menu: sliders, mini-hot dogs and mini-chili dogs. (Prices: $3.99-$4.99.)

Johnny Rockets, a 1950s-inspired American diner, has been testing the mini foods in three Orange County restaurants for a few weeks. The move is part of a growing trend, as more restaurants have been adding cheaper, pint-size foods on menus.

The new foods will make their national debut at all Johnny Rockets restaurants next week, the chain said.

The lowdown: I hit the Johnny Rockets in Tustin the other day to try the new mini-foods, which are advertised as “starter” dishes, not entree meals.  The trio of burgers come with your choice of the following new sauces: dijonaisse, ancho chipotle, blue cheese and pepper relish mayo. Cost: $3.99

We ordered the blue cheese sliders for $3.99 and the mini-chili dogs for $4.99.

My thoughts: For starter dishes, the mini-burgers were acceptable. However, the patties were not as thick and juicy as I would have liked them to be. The blue cheese sauce gave the slider the added kick I needed. I also tried the sliders with Tillamook cheese (which cost $1 extra), and it was OK. Once again, the pattie was not that juicy.

My daughter loved her tiny chili dogs. She enjoyed every messy bite. (At one point, I had to send her to the ladies’ room to clean up the chili on her face and fingers!) Still, I thought the chili dogs were marginal. Too much bun, not enough dog. But, since my daughter had fun eating hers, I’d say the dogs are perfect for children or for anyone who loves the chain’s all-meat chili.

Overall, I think the JR sliders bring a much-needed value option to the chain’s menu. They certainly were better than the new Burger King Burger Shots – but not as good as the sliders served at Ruby’s Diner. Although, to be fair, Ruby’s sliders are served as entrees and are more expensive because they come with more flavorful toppings.

Tell us: Will you try Johnny Rockets’ new sliders? Where do you go for the best sliders at the best price?

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Posted in: Burger Joints • Fast food news • Marketing Buzz • Value Deals • • | 14 Comments »
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