Francorp Client: Johnny Rockets

Football Star and Entrepreneur, Joe Theismann, Helps the Johnny Rockets Group Prepare for Meteoric Growth


Former NFL Quarterback Lends Motivation and Restaurant Expertise to Up and Coming Brand
LAKE FOREST, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Football, broadcasting, and restaurant veteran, Joe Theismann, has joined the Board of Directors of fellow American success story, Johnny Rockets. Having been in both the sports entertainment and restaurant industries for more than thirty years, Theismann will contribute his business acumen, enthusiasm and teambuilding expertise to the 22-year-old chain of All-American theme restaurants. He will also lend his voice and likeness to select Johnny Rockets publicity efforts and non-profit campaigns.

According to Chris Ainley, Johnny Rockets Chairman of the Board, "We're thrilled to have Joe on our team to share his knowledge in negotiation, competition, relationship management and operations. He definitely knows about running successful restaurants and we believe he also knows how to recognize a real winner when he sees one."
Theismann, the former Washington Redskins quarterback who led the team to two Super Bowls, had his first official appointment at the October 16 Johnny Rockets Group Board of Directors meeting in Washington, D.C. He will attend quarterly Board meetings and be available to counsel Executive Team members, as needed. He will also work with franchise owners to help them secure - and inspire them to build - lucrative, competitive businesses.
"My family and I eat there every chance we get," said Theismann, "and, having been in the industry as long as I have, I know that serving delicious food in a fun, friendly, clean atmosphere is the key to both good offense and defense in any restaurant situation. The fact is that Johnny Rockets serves great food. Their niche is one that keeps our All-American wholesome goodness in the forefront. Their successful expansion both domestically and internationally should be a surprise to no one."
Added Johnny Rockets' President and CEO Lee Sanders, "We have a proven business model, savvy franchisees and genuinely good menu offerings which is why our business continues to grow, despite the current economy. With leadership that now includes Joe's experience, we are positioned to be a successful, enduring example of American innovation and culture for years to come."
Johnny Rockets and its franchisees currently operate 217 restaurants in the U. S. and 36 restaurants in nine other countries, including: Bahamas, Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. New locations are scheduled to open soon in Saudi Arabia, Germany and the Dominican Republic, and several more international franchising deals are currently in the works. Current development plans are on track to open 60 new restaurants, this year.
About Johnny Rockets
For more than 22 years, Johnny Rockets has offered the food, fun and friendliness reminiscent of feel-good Americana. Every Johnny Rockets restaurant offers its guests simple, great-tasting food from a menu of all-American favorites, including juicy hamburgers and hand-dipped shakes and malts. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Calif., Johnny Rockets has 253 corporate and franchise-owned restaurants in 29 states and nine countries, including those found in Six Flags amusement parks, FedEx Field and aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Johnny Rockets is currently franchising new restaurants in most markets. To learn more about Johnny Rockets, visit johnnyrockets.com.
SOURCE Johnny Rockets