Johnny Rockets announces a development agreement with Cruzar Group LLC to open Johnny Rockets restaurants in El Paso, Texas, including the brand’s new Route 66 expression. Johnny Rockets’ Route 66 drive-thru prototype will offer its same all-American menu to travelers and consumers on-the-go.
“Texas is primed for expansion, with huge growth potential in the west Texas market,” says James Walker, president of operations and development for Johnny Rockets. “You can already find our restaurants as far north as Dallas and Arlington and as far south as Brownsville and McAllen. And the fact that we’re opening our new Route 66 prototype in the western part of the state speaks to the brand’s continued growth and development. We also believe that franchisees will find this new option attractive, considering the Route 66 drive-thru expression is not confined by typical real estate parameters.”
In addition to the upcoming El Paso location, Johnny Rockets franchise partners are under construction to open additional restaurants in San Antonio and Laredo, Texas. Franchisees are seeking new real estate to meet consumer demand, especially within the Hispanic market.
“The Hispanic population in Texas and across the country continues to serve as enthusiastic brand champions for Johnny Rockets,” adds Walker. “Johnny Rockets now has two executives, including our chief executive officer, who are fluent in Spanish and we are confident these assets can help us reach this powerful demographic.”
Johnny Rockets now offers three expressions for interested franchise partners—Traditional, Route 66, and Express, a quick-service prototype ideal for airports, malls and other entertainment destinations. Johnny Rockets Express offers flexible floor plans, with options ranging from a 150-square foot, free standing kiosk, to a 1,100-square foot restaurant.
Johnny Rockets’ Route 66 drive-thru prototype offers high quality food in an expedited experience in sites ranging from 1,800- to 3,300-square feet. With updated operational equipment and an optimized menu, the all-American brand is able to offer to diners the same fresh, never frozen, cooked-to-order hamburgers and other signature menu items in a shorter cooking time. In addition, digital technologies like an interactive drive-thru, video walls, online ordering, and self-ordering kiosks, ensure that guests enjoy a modern, fun, and integrated experience. This brand expression is ideally suited for high volume, regional travel plazas located off major freeways and highways.
By 2017, Johnny Rockets plans to add 100 more restaurants in the U.S.