<P> The Johnny Rockets Group Inc. is an American restaurant franchise whose themed decor is based upon 1950s diner - style restaurants . Decor includes Coca - Cola advertising, featuring nearly life - size cardboard illustrations of women in World War II armed services uniforms (see WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots), individual jukebox stations, chrome accents and red vinyl seats . The staff at some locations are known to sing and dance every half - hour . Making a smiley face with ketchup on the paper plate when serving French fries is a Johnny Rockets trademark . </P> <P> The menu, presentation, counter seating and grilling area are based on an original restaurant from 1947 (still operating today), The Apple Pan in West Los Angeles . Hamburgers are grilled - to - order in full view of the customers and are served wrapped in paper on paper plates . </P> <P> Johnny Rockets was founded on June 6, 1986, by Ronn Teitelbaum of Los Angeles, California, and "crafted as a' nongimmicky' recreation of the 1940s - vintage malt shops of his childhood". The first restaurant was established as a 20 - stool counter operation on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles . This location permanently closed on October 26, 2015 . </P> <P> In February 2007, it was announced that RedZone Capital, the private equity firm of Daniel Snyder, was set to acquire the chain . Snyder announced plans to expand the chain both within the United States and worldwide, including the launch of smaller outlets known as Johnny Rockets Express . </P>

Where did the name johnny rockets come from