Johnny Rockets, owned by Los Angeles-based FAT Brands, is making its United Arab Emirates debut in the country’s capital city of Abu Dhabi. The restaurant marks the first brick-and-mortar opening for franchise partner Kitopi, which has a master franchise agreement with the global restaurant franchising company to open 136 brick-and-mortar locations in addition to 70 ghost kitchens throughout the Middle East.
FAT Brands‘ concepts Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Elevation Burger and Buffalo’s Express have opened in 15 of Kitopi’s existing ghost kitchens in the region. In the coming weeks, the franchise partner will also open a brick-and-mortar Johnny Rockets location in Dubai.
“Since announcing our partnership with Kitopi in 2021, we have been impressed with their ability to successfully open and operate our brands,” Jake Berchtold, COO of FAT Brands’ Fast Casual Division, said in a company press release. “Now, as they begin to open brick-and-mortar locations, we are thrilled to continue this growth journey with them. The Middle East is ripe with expansion opportunities, and we look forward to bringing burgers, shakes, fries, and fun to Abu Dhabi with Johnny Rockets.”
The first Johnny Rockets restaurant opened June 6, 1986, in Los Angeles.
