 Johnny Rockets, the much loved burger chain with the nostalgic feel, is growing its presence in Arizona with new local ownership and a new restaurant on the way.
The retro restaurant’s Arizona Mills location in Tempe has just been acquired by franchise owner Richard “Rip” Riva, making him the owner of all six Johnny Rockets in the Phoenix metropolitan area. In addition, Riva plans to open a new location at the Chandler Fashion Center at 3111 W. Chandler Boulevard, sharing with What Now Phoenix he’s looking toward a March 2026 opening.
Riva says Johnny Rockets sets itself apart from other burger restaurants both for its look and its quality. “It’s classic American cuisine. Newer concepts can come and go, but Johnny Rockets continues to exceed expectations.” Riva points out that burgers are made with 100 percent Certified Angus beef that’s fresh never frozen. Sausage is hand made, Johnny Rockets makes its own ranch and barbecue sauce, and brioche buns flown in from a bakery in Chicago. “We tried to find them locally, but we weren’t satisfied with them,” he says, adding that attention to every detail is the key to success. “We won’t give an inch on that.”
For Riva, treating people like family is another crucial step to making Johnny Rockets the best in the business. “We get very few complaints, and if there is one, I call the guest personally.” Riva says that personal touch pays off. “We have people that have been coming to our Scottsdale location, which happens to be the longest running Johnny Rockets in the world — since the mall opened in 1986.” That person-to-person approach also starts with the employees. Riva says when he can’t be around, his right-hand person, Samantha Buya, is there visiting the stores daily.
Since the first Johnny Rockets opened in 1986 in Los Angeles, the company has grown across the country and is now in 25 different countries. Riva says it all comes down to connection, quality — and a touch of nostalgia. “When we opened last year at Arrowhead Mall, a man came up to us and said he dad used to bring him to Johnny Rockets every Sunday. To have someone take the time to share that — it makes you feel really good.”
