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Johnny Rockets will return to its retro diner roots under new FAT Brands ownershipJohnny Rockets will return to its retro diner roots under new FAT Brands ownership

FAT Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn said that they will bring back the ’50s diner theming from before Johnny Rockets underwent a rebranding in 2016

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 13, 2020

3 Min Read
Wiederhorn Johnny Rockets
Andy Wiederhorn thinks that the newly acquired Johnny Rockets needs some love.FAT Brands/Johnny Rockets

Joanna Fantozzi

Following FAT Brands’ announcement on Thursday that the global franchising company would be acquiring Los Angeles-based burger chain Johnny Rockets next month, FAT Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn — who is taking over as CEO when the acquisition goes through — said that one of their priorities would be to bring back the ’50s diner theming that Johnny Rockets was originally known for.

“We love the original look of the brand and we think there will be opportunities to bring that back,” Wiederhorn said, adding that he thinks that the burger chain should be brought “back to its roots” of banquet booths, servers wearing paper hats,  and customers playing jukebox tunes.

In 2016, the Johnny Rockets company announced a rebrand, which ditc...

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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