Aliso Viejo, California-based Johnny Rockets has quietly closed a number of locations in Atlanta recently. Once with a great number of locations across the Atlanta area, the retro chain is down to only five, which are mostly in and around tourist attractions. Those remaining are in Underground Atlanta, Arbor Place Mall, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags White Water and adjacent to the Atlanta Aquarium on Luckie Street downtown.
The chain once had a location at North DeKalb Mall, but it closed years ago. More recently the chain shuttered its longstanding West Paces Ferry Road location and after initially closing their Phipps Plaza location in the wake of the LEGOLAND opening and announcing that it would not re-open, it then did re-open near Legoland. Johnny Rockets also closed its location in the food court of Discover Mills in Lawrenceville, as well as at the Avenues East Cobb.
While Johnny Rockets has reduced its store count, newcomers like FIVE GUYS and Smashburger have opened multiple new locations. Both Lorton, Virginia-based FIVE GUYS and Denver, Colorado-based Smashburger are considered "better burger" concepts as they focus almost exclusively on offering numerous gourmet burgers. FIVE GUYS currently has over 35 locations in the metro area including two at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Smashburger has five locations open with plans for for at least three more by the end of the year.
In the coming months North Palm Beach, Florida-based BurgerFi will open their first metro area location at Emory Point on Clifton Road. Earlier this summer, Lansdowne, Virginia based BGR The Burger Joint opened in place of a former Doc Green's at Atlantic Station.
While Johnny Rockets has reduced its store count, newcomers like FIVE GUYS and Smashburger have opened multiple new locations. Both Lorton, Virginia-based FIVE GUYS and Denver, Colorado-based Smashburger are considered "better burger" concepts as they focus almost exclusively on offering numerous gourmet burgers. FIVE GUYS currently has over 35 locations in the metro area including two at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Smashburger has five locations open with plans for for at least three more by the end of the year.
In the coming months North Palm Beach, Florida-based BurgerFi will open their first metro area location at Emory Point on Clifton Road. Earlier this summer, Lansdowne, Virginia based BGR The Burger Joint opened in place of a former Doc Green's at Atlantic Station.
Is the burger business too much for chains like Johnny Rockets? Have "better burger" chains like Smashburger and Atlanta-based Farm Burger left no room for this beleaguered chain? What is your favorite place to grab a burger?
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