US-based Johnny Rockets eyes to launch 23 global restaurants in 2019

Owner of fast casual chain Fatburger is buying diner-styled franchise restaurant Johnny Rockets for $25 million.

Covid-19 pandemic has hit hard the entire restaurant industry and FAT Brands has also suffered the heat.

According to the reports, the company reported a 50% jump in the sale for second quarter, and its stock was down nearly 25% this year before the deal was announced.

Also Read: FATBURGER, the American burger chain made India Foray

FAT Brands that also owns Elevation Burger, Hurricane Grill & Wings and the Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses chains stock doubled in early trading Thursday on the news of the Johnny Rockets purchase.

Johnny Rockets is globally known for its decadent burgers and milkshakes is owned by private equity firm Sun Capital Partners and is running over 310 locations across globe.

Must Read: US-based Johnny Rockets eyes to launch 23 global restaurants in 2019

"We are eager to take the brand to new heights,” shared Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of FAT Brands in a statement.

Once the deal closes, which should be in September, FAT Brands will have more than 700 restaurant locations worldwide and total annual sales of more than $700 million, reported CNN.

Johnny Rockets, the global restaurant chain, announced the appointment of Harry Yu to the position of Senior Director of Information Technology. Yu has more than twenty years of experience analyzing, developing and implementing the IT infrastructure and operational improvements for a variety of brands. 

Harry Yu joins the Johnny Rockets team from Amazon.com, where he was responsible for the Amazon fulfilment centres, managing IT operations, services, governance and budget control. He trained and managed a team of engineers and technicians and was part of the group responsible for launching Amazon's world-class fulfilment centres. Earlier to joining Amazon.com, Yu headed up IT for Fresh Enterprises, the parent company of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill and Canyons Burger Company.

"Harry is an important addition to our team," said James Walker, President of Development and Operations at Johnny Rockets.

"Over the last two years, Johnny Rockets has become more information and data driven. We are committed to continue our investment in state-of-the-art technology at our restaurant support centre and in our restaurants in both domestic and international markets. Harry will be instrumental in helping us align our business strategies with our IT strategies and working with us to build new ways to engage our restaurant guests and our stakeholders", he added.

Harry Yu will report to James Walker at Johnny Rockets corporate headquarters in Aliso Viejo, CA.

RI Bureau

Johnny Rockets, the Californian burger chain, which opened its first restaurant at Select CityWalk Mall in Delhi way back in 2013, has opened its first Express restaurant in Cyber hub Gurgaon.

Known for its world famous fresh, cooked-to-order burgers, sandwiches, salads and hand-spun shakes, this is the first Johnny Rockets Express to open in India, offering Johnny Rockets’ quality menu items in Gurgaon’s most popular restaurant and lifestyle destination. 

“Johnny Rockets is a fresh concept for the Indian market that is well-received by the community,” said Vishal Chaudhry, franchise owner of the DLF Cyber Hub Johnny Rockets. 

Brought to India by Prime Gourmet Pvt Ltd, Johnny Rockets India is happily serving its customers at four different locations in Delhi-NCR including DLF Promenade and Ambience Mall.

“We currently operate another Johnny Rockets restaurant at the Ambience Mall and residents and guests appreciate our all-American fare and friendly service.  Our newest restaurant, Johnny Rockets Express, offers our classic menu items at a shorter wait time, without compromising quality, taste or experience,” added Chaudhry.

Spread across, 480 sqft, the restaurant can accommodate 46 guests in its indoor and outdoor seating areas. 

According to a recent Technopak report, India’s quick serve industry is expected to grow to $4.61 billion by 2020, more than double its current value of $2.11 billion.  While contributing to this growth, Chaudhry and his team plan to open 20 Johnny Rockets across the country.  He currently operates three traditional Johnny Rockets restaurants, located in Gurgaon and New Delhi, making the DLF Cyber Hub restaurant his fourth Johnny Rockets. 

The all-American global restaurant chain, Johnny Rockets announced the appointment of Naresh Vinod Worlikar and Calvin Harris as vice president of international and director of culinary innovation.

Naresh Vinod Worlikar as the vice president of international is responsible for developing and expanding market development and ensuring brand excellence overseas. Harris joins Johnny Rockets in a newly formed position to enhance culinary innovation, which will include recipe and product development, testing and implementation.

“As we continue differentiating ourselves in the competitive better burger category, Naresh and Calvin will infuse a fresh perspective to the executive team that is informed by their extensive restaurant industry knowledge,” says Charles Bruce, President and CEO. “Next year is our brand’s 30th Anniversary and we anticipate immediate contributions from these restaurant professionals while we expand the brand’s global presence.”

Worlikar brings more than 30 years of strategic operations and sales leadership experience to the Johnny Rockets executive team. During his time with the Italian-inspired brand, Worlikar developed and implemented supply chain and training systems in Asia and increased restaurant growth by more than 40 per cent. Before Sbarro, Worklikar held multiple operations roles with restaurant franchise companies, including Subway, Domino’s Pizza and Little Caesars Pizza.

“Over the last year, Johnny Rockets has seen the strongest international growth in the company’s history, including development agreements in Southeast Asia, China, South America, and more,” explains James Walker, President of global operations and development. “Naresh knows the nuances of overseas markets and is an ideal fit to successfully lead our sales and operational strategies.”

Calvin Harris, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, joins Johnny Rockets with more than 20 years of experience in culinary and product development, including stints at Burger King, Arby’s and TGI Friday’s. Harris before joining Johnny Rockets, was founded successful food manufacturing and distributing start-ups including Harris Food Company and Benevida Foods.

“We listen closely to our guests and Calvin is a progressive chef who we have charged with responding to their requests by bringing even more quality, ingredient-inspired options to the Johnny Rockets menu,” says Joel Bulger, chief marketing officer.

He further says, “We have prioritized making our approach to guest interaction more engaging in 2016 and Calvin will lead us in developing more limited-time menu offerings based on emerging trends and consumer flavour preferences.”

Johnny Rockets, the global restaurant chain has appointed Charles Bruce as the company's new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Bruce brings to Johnny Rockets more than 35 years of experience in marketing and leadership positions. 

Most recently, Charles Bruce was President and Chief Executive Officer of Peter Piper Pizza, a regional pizza chain where he was hired in 2009 as Chief Marketing Officer to develop and implement the strategy to turn the brand around.

Following the successful turnaround, Bruce was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We're fortunate to have Charles Bruce join Johnny Rockets. Charles impressed us with his strong leadership skills demonstrated throughout his career and he has a solid background developing integrated brand strategies that achieved substantial sales growth for a variety of brands. Moreover, he has a proven track record establishing productive relationships with franchise partners,” said David Finnigan, a member of Johnny Rockets Board of Directors.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Johnny Rockets team and excited about working with the leadership team, our employees, restaurant teams, franchise partners and suppliers to contribute to the growth and profitability of the company," said Charles Bruce.

Earlier in his career, Bruce held marketing and brand strategy positions with the International Pizza Hut Franchise Holders Association as Vice President of Marketing and at Wendy's as Vice President of International Marketing.

Bruce also held positions at Damon's Grill, Captain D's Seafood and Salsarita's Fresh Cantina.

Charles Bruce will be based at Johnny Rockets headquarters in Aliso Viejo, CA and is relocating to the Orange County area.