Johnny Rockets: History, Key Facts and Reviews

1986: a malt shop counter on Melrose Avenue

Johnny Rockets opened on June 6, 1986, as a 20-stool counter on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles (Wikipedia). Founder Ronn Teitelbaum wanted a straightforward recreation of a 1940s malt shop and based the menu on The Apple Pan, a West Los Angeles burger counter dating from 1947. Burgers were grilled in full view and served wrapped in paper in metal baskets. The name joins Johnny Appleseed and the Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and the company says the Melrose counter drew 600 to 700 guests a day (Johnny Rockets). The Original, the burger the chain says started it all, is still its signature.

2000-2015: new owners, stadiums and cruise ships

The chain changed hands twice after its founder’s death. Teitelbaum died of brain cancer on September 11, 2000, at 61. In February 2007, RedZone Capital, the investment firm of Daniel Snyder, then owner of the Washington NFL team, bought Johnny Rockets and named Lee Sanders president and chief executive. Stands opened in the new Yankee Stadium in April 2009, and on June 6, 2012, the world’s largest Johnny Rockets opened in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Royal Caribbean also runs Johnny Rockets diners aboard its cruise ships. Sun Capital Partners took over in 2013, and the original Melrose counter closed on October 26, 2015.

2016-2025: Europe, FAT Brands and a smaller US network

Johnny Rockets reached Europe on September 22, 2016, with a restaurant in Brescia, Italy, in a year when it counted 385 locations. FAT Brands, the parent company of Fatburger, bought the chain on August 13, 2020, for $25 million (Wikipedia). Growth then came mostly from franchise partners abroad while the home network shrank: Wikipedia counted 90 US restaurants in April 2024.

2026: OHG Brands and 245 restaurants

Johnny Rockets now belongs to OHG Brands. When FAT Brands went through Chapter 11, the chain was part of the package that the lender-backed FBG Bid Co. bought for $595 million on June 18, 2026 (1851 Franchise); the group took the OHG Brands name in September. In October 2026 the official directory listed 245 restaurants in 26 countries. Two thirds are outside the United States, which has 82, including 20 in Florida. Brazil (32), Mexico (27) and Chile (27) are the largest foreign markets, ahead of the United Arab Emirates (11) and South Korea (9).

Key dates

• 1986: Ronn Teitelbaum opens the first Johnny Rockets on Melrose Avenue on June 6.
• 2000: Teitelbaum dies on September 11.
• 2007: RedZone Capital buys the chain.
• 2013: Sun Capital Partners takes over.
• 2016: first European restaurant, in Brescia, Italy.
• 2020: FAT Brands buys Johnny Rockets for $25 million.
• 2026: sale to FBG Bid Co., now OHG Brands; 245 restaurants in October.