Johnny Rockets' Expansion To Include NZ

Media Release February 2010

Johnny Rockets' Expansion To Include NZ

At a time when businesses are slowly recovering from the economic downturn, one international restaurant chain is soaring ahead with a global expansion plan that will soon bring it to New Zealand shores. The classic all-American burger chain Johnny Rockets is offering the exclusive rights to an area development agreement for 10 Johnny Rockets Restaurants to be established in New Zealand, with the help of the business brokerage Switch Business.

David Newport, who co-founded Switch Business Limited with Paul Devcich, says the Johnny Rockets franchise provides a great opportunity for potential buyers to purchase their own business. “Whether you are an existing restaurateur or an entrepreneur in the retail and hospitality industry, owning a Johnny Rockets franchise will offer support and business systems that have been trialled and proven in the marketplace and in turn can help to reduce risk in buying a new business.”

Steve Devine, Senior Vice President of International Development for Johnny Rockets, says there is tremendous potential for the Johnny Rockets brand in New Zealand. “Johnny Rockets is an iconic concept, blending fresh American cuisine and culture by offering juicy hamburgers, classic sandwiches, and hand-dipped shakes and malts, served in an all-American fun and friendly environment.”

Each year, Johnny Rockets serves more than 13 million hamburgers to customers in more than 250 locations around the world, providing the food, fun and friendliness reminiscent of feel-good Americana.

The area development model on offer in New Zealand gives exclusive development rights to build an agreed-upon number of restaurants within a predetermined geography and within a specific timeframe. The selected franchisee will be given a development schedule that defines when each restaurant must be opened – typically one restaurant every nine to 10 months within a 10-year period. The opportunity cost for 10 restaurants in New Zealand is US$300,000.

“Johnny Rockets will work hand-in-hand with our selected franchisee to identify the best locations within New Zealand at which to locate the restaurants,” Mr Devine says. “We have had tremendous success operating restaurants at shopping malls, hotels, airports, casinos, amusement parks and sports stadiums around the world, and we anticipate a similar reception in New Zealand. We expect that New Zealand will offer opportunities for Johnny Rockets to broaden its appeal to the business community.

“We are pleased to have Switch Business Limited as our exclusive business broker in New Zealand. Paul and David bring more than 55 years of experience in all aspects of sales, acquisition, management and consultancy to the table, and we look forward to their assistance in securing a qualified and experienced business partner in New Zealand.”

Johnny Rockets currently has 42 restaurants operated by Master Franchisees outside of the United States, in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and the Philippines. “We are very interested in expanding our presence globally and both Australia and New Zealand are integral components of that expansion,” Mr Devine says.

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