johnny rocket

[stoebelrh]

This is my first post. Just wanted to see if any other folks have had similiar bad experiences at Johnny Rockets at Lake Sumter Landing. One recent afternoon my wife and I went to JR for a late lunch. The girl who seated us was not pleasant and looked like she was doing us a favor .... the food service was also very slow which surprised us because they were not busy at that time. Another incident when grand children were here a couple of weeks ago ... we were seated outside. A half hour after ordering, we were informed that the chicken nuggets for the kids were not available. After receiving menus to reorder, our waiter never got back to us so we got up and left. If JR management does not improve the service, they will be another restaurant that will leave TV. Too bad, it is a prime location and we had pretty good service there last year.

[renrod]

WHEN they leave, because I don't think your experience is Unique, maybe a business that appreciates the location will move in.

[tpop1]

Death, taxes & Johnny Rocket's issues

See this thread!

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12898&highlight=rockets

[graciegirl]

We waited and waited and left. They didn't even miss us. I would like a Steak and Shake there.

No one asked me, but I would.

[Dirigo]

The lovely Diane ate there once whilst I was playing golf. She refuses to return. How do they stay open?

[terrieb]

Ditto to everyone's post above. We ate there twice and each time it was a horrible wait time to take our order after we got seated, unfriendly waiter, horrible food. We do not eat at this place period. I too, would like to see a steak and shake right there on the corner.

[Challenger]

service is horrible-food is marginal- location is great. Almost any fast food would be an improvement.

[JenAjd]

We've eaten there several times....always when it was busy!!! We had great service, food was good and I'd definately go back! Guess we hit it when things were going good! But these were all this past winter and early Spring so wonder why all of you had a bad experience??!!

[Bill & Carolyn]

That's too bad. :throwtomatoes: Most JRs I've frequented (in the distant past) are excellent. Although it isn't an issue for me anymore, I don't eat the artery clogging, heart attack on a plate fare that JR specializes in.

[John_W]

We ate at JR last Saturday afternoon about 4:00. It was a little busy but not bad, two waitresses were handling all the tables while two others (a guy and a girl in uniform) sat at the counter just talking, I figured they must be on break but was strange they were sitting there.

The good: While waiting for our order a Beegees disco song came on and they turned the music very loud and the guy and girl got up from the counter and stood in the middle of the room and started clapping their hands and dancing around, it was pretty cool.

The bad: We had several.

After waiting about 15 minutes for our order, I heard the cook yell 'order up' and watched our food sit at the window for several more minutes while our waitress seated many customers and took a few orders, she seemed totally oblivious to what was going on around her.

After delivering the food I asked the waitress for ketchup for the fries, she came back with a small cardboard dish and was pouring ketchup into the dish as she walked, I thought, that's not a bad idea for dipping. However the bottle was almost empty and she left hardly any ketchup, I asked for some more but she never returned, so I went to the counter and asked another clerk for some ketchup.

My wife had requested mustard on her burgers and they arrived without any, so she asked the waitress. The waitress did finally return with mustard in a small paper cup, but by then she had already finished one slider, and my wife is not a fast eater.

Later I had to ask for my check and when our waitress brought it I asked if I pay at the cashier and she said no, I must pay her. I then noticed that our $12 order had only 70 cents deducted and we had given her a 10% off LSV coupon. She went to the manager and then retured to inform us that my wife's sliders, fries and a drink was on sale and they don't discount sale items.

As I was getting out my money to give her, the manager came over and told her to go outside and start helping. After about five minutes of waiting and she still hadn't returned, I walked to the counter and asked another waitress if she could take my money, she said no, it had to be my waitress. Then after a few more minutes I saw the manager return so I asked him if he could take my money because I wanted to leave. He then went outside and got my waitress who came in and took my money.

Needles to say, Johnny Rockets has gotten the last of my business and in fact, we ate twice at Steak & Shake and it was great, both food and service.

[linandvin]

I'm glad it wasn't just us! We were there on a weekend to put a deposit on land. We were having a wonderful weekend and decided to go to JRs. It was the dirtiest place we have been in! The tables were not cleaned off, staff was sitting around eating and drinking, and when we paid the bill (after trying to get someone's attention for 15 minutes), she stuffed the cash into an envelope! Guess that wasn't recorded! We will never go back into that place! Hope it changes hands.

[Hoosiervillager]

We waited and waited and left. They didn't even miss us. I would like a Steak and Shake there.

No one asked me, but I would.

Same experience for us. And I also would love to see Steak and Shake in that location.

[Bogie Shooter]

These comments are nothing new regarding JR. I doubt if any residents that have been there go back. Too bad, such a beautiful location.

[Skip2MySue]

These comments are nothing new regarding JR. I doubt if any residents that have been there go back. Too bad, such a beautiful location.

Count us in as one of the unsatisfied also. Same experience as most with poor service, so-so food and poor restaurant conditions. This place would be a great 5 Guys cause the one we have out in Rolling Meadows is packed all the time. Good food, clean and friendly service.
Skip 2

[Challenger]

our experience has been the same all three times we have gone there over the past year. I waited hoping things would get better, but apparantly they didn't. Do you think that anyone is interested in improving this problem,ie: the developed or whover rents and runs the store?:(

[SHANEE]

Been there done that & won't do it again. Even the grandkids though it was bad & they at anything.

[tainsley]

My husband and I visited TV last October. Had an hour to kill before meeting with realtor. Stopped in Johnny Rockets around noon. There were two couples seated. Five employees debating who would seat us. Got disgusted and left. Grabbed a coke elsewhere. Only negative thing that happened, to us in two visits to TV. That being said Johnny Rockets won't survive if this is how they treat customers (surprised they are still there) and my husband and I cannot wait to be permanent residents. We are planning to be down this summer to look again for our last dream home! We have never been so sure about anything!

[rubicon]

I have never eaten at Rockets and based on posters' comments I won't. It is obviously a management problem and a manager(s0 that should be summarily discharged

[Pturner]

We've never been and don't plan to go. As bad as the reviews have consistently been, there must be some logical explanation why it's still there. I don't know what it is though. :shrug:

[mikeandnancy1112]

Steak n Shake would be awesome!

[loonlovers]

Normally, I don't jump into the discussions about TV restaurants because every dining establishment has a bad day but Johnny Rockets review is the exception!

Hubby and I "ate" there the end of last week around 1:30 and enountered the worst service we've had in The Villages. I spoke with a manager (seemed there were three on duty) and expressed my polite displeasure with the long wait. He acknowledged that the service was terrible and that they were experiencing many problems. He stated that the standard "14 minutes" (I interpreted that to be from the time the order was placed) and today the number of minutes about "40 minutes." He said he couldn't find the words to adequately apologize but stated a new manager had come on staff to weeks prior to clean up operations and "it wasn't working". Our waitress was fine...the issue was with the cooking staff.

When our order finally arrived, the food the good but by then we'd lost our appetites since we drank the milk shake that had been sent 30 minutes before our meal arrived! There were other customers who were as dissatisfied as we were. As we were leaving, new customers arriving were being warned that there was at least a 20 minute backup on food orders.

We hesitated going into Johnny Rockets that day because we remembered the negative discussions on TOTV in the past but decided to give it a chance anyway. Bad decision...we will never give it another!

[jgbama]

Normally, I don't jump into the discussions about TV restaurants because every dining establishment has a bad day but Johnny Rockets review is the exception!

Hubby and I "ate" there the end of last week around 1:30 and enountered the worst service we've had in The Villages. I spoke with a manager (seemed there were three on duty) and expressed my polite displeasure with the long wait. He acknowledged that the service was terrible and that they were experiencing many problems. He stated that the standard "14 minutes" (I interpreted that to be from the time the order was placed) and today the number of minutes about "40 minutes." He said he couldn't find the words to adequately apologize but stated a new manager had come on staff to weeks prior to clean up operations and "it wasn't working". Our waitress was fine...the issue was with the cooking staff.

When our order finally arrived, the food the good but by then we'd lost our appetites since we drank the milk shake that had been sent 30 minutes before our meal arrived! There were other customers who were as dissatisfied as we were. As we were leaving, new customers arriving were being warned that there was at least a 20 minute backup on food orders.

We hesitated going into Johnny Rockets that day because we remembered the negative discussions on TOTV in the past but decided to give it a chance anyway. Bad decision...we will never give it another!

Same for us on the bad service. Our first visit in 2005 was pleasant, good waitress, decent time on food arrival, but the other times wasn't as pleasant. I cast my vote for Steak and Shake too!

[Tbugs]

Why in the world would anyone over the age of 21 go to Johnny Rockets when you can go to Cody's Roadhouse (1 block away) for a "bar burger" which is a quarter pound of fresh ground sirloin on a bun with the good fixings for $1.99 and a large (34 oz) or two 16 oz beers for $3.50? Johnny Rockets has no view of Lake Sumter like Cody's nor do they offer free peanuts.

[Bogie Shooter]

Why in the world would anyone over the age of 21 go to Johnny Rockets when you can go to Cody's Roadhouse (1 block away) for a "bar burger" which is a quarter pound of fresh ground sirloin on a bun with the good fixings for $1.99 and a large (34 oz) or two 16 oz beers for $3.50? Johnny Rockets has no view of Lake Sumter like Cody's nor do they offer free peanuts.

Point well made.

[philnpat]

My wife and I attempted to eat at JR last Fall. It was a beautiful day and we asked to be seated outside. We waited over 20 minutes for our server to return to take our order. A different server was attending to a nearby table. We asked if we could order with her as our server hadn't returned. She said "no" we'd have to wait for our original server. We asked her to tell her that we're waiting. She never returned...we left.
Good friends of ours were traveling thru Florida looking for retirement property. We talked them into stopping at TV and seeing the the town square. With the many fun places to have lunch in Sumter Landing you'll never guess where they stopped for lunch!...you guessed it! JR

[784caroline]

Suggest you call and talk with Mike Mohyla who is the Regional Manager for this Company Owned Johnny Rockets. He can be reached at 949-322-4059.

[Mikeod]

Same for us on the bad service. Our first visit in 2005 was pleasant, good waitress, decent time on food arrival, but the other times wasn't as pleasant. I cast my vote for Steak and Shake too!

Same here. We stopped in during a visit in October 2005. Good service, food served quickly and hot, enjoyed the music and dancing staff. Subsequent visits in 2006 and 2007 were similar to the OP. I keep hearing that corporate has made changes, but there is no discernible change in attitude or service. With all the other options in LSL, we don't go.

It's a shame that that prime location is filled with a poorly-run establishment.

[StarbuckSammy]

I agree with all of the negative comments on JR. Very poor service and the food is suspect.
If you saw the "Undercover Boss" segment last year it had the JR's CEO on it who knows nothing about running an eatery...he was a CFO his whole career and became the CEO in 2009. It always starts at the top. If he wanted to have a good company he would have made it his business to spend time in the units and see how they run etc...this type of business requires hands on management. He displayed no knowledge (and admitted it) while he was on the show.
JR was a good place for the first 2 years or so...if you remember they had a hands on manager then who left and started his own place. He was always there watching his staff and the flow of customers....now you can watch the flow of customers "out the door" !

[springfield illinois]

Hooters has great wings and they have kids menu....among other things!?!

[nkrifats]

Steak and Shake would be the answer .

[kb8tpw]

In a year here we have tried twice - both times similar to outlined above. One question that comes to my mind that has not been mentioned. You would think that the retail leasing function of The Villages would do some sort of a survey before they leased their prime locations at least. The "Quality" aspect of their total operation seems to be above reproach. If they are not that interested in the initial lease process one would think they would do some follow up. Perhaps they rely on the annual survey? Johnny Rockets certainly does nothing to lend itself to the overall villages environment and needs to be made to answer.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

We ate at JR last Saturday afternoon about 4:00. It was a little busy but not bad, two waitresses were handling all the tables while two others (a guy and a girl in uniform) sat at the counter just talking, I figured they must be on break but was strange they were sitting there.

The good: While waiting for our order a Beegees disco song came on and they turned the music very loud and the guy and girl got up from the counter and stood in the middle of the room and started clapping their hands and dancing around, it was pretty cool.

The bad: We had several.

After waiting about 15 minutes for our order, I heard the cook yell 'order up' and watched our food sit at the window for several more minutes while our waitress seated many customers and took a few orders, she seemed totally oblivious to what was going on around her.

After delivering the food I asked the waitress for ketchup for the fries, she came back with a small cardboard dish and was pouring ketchup into the dish as she walked, I thought, that's not a bad idea for dipping. However the bottle was almost empty and she left hardly any ketchup, I asked for some more but she never returned, so I went to the counter and asked another clerk for some ketchup.

My wife had requested mustard on her burgers and they arrived without any, so she asked the waitress. The waitress did finally return with mustard in a small paper cup, but by then she had already finished one slider, and my wife is not a fast eater.

Later I had to ask for my check and when our waitress brought it I asked if I pay at the cashier and she said no, I must pay her. I then noticed that our $12 order had only 70 cents deducted and we had given her a 10% off LSV coupon. She went to the manager and then retured to inform us that my wife's sliders, fries and a drink was on sale and they don't discount sale items.

As I was getting out my money to give her, the manager came over and told her to go outside and start helping. After about five minutes of waiting and she still hadn't returned, I walked to the counter and asked another waitress if she could take my money, she said no, it had to be my waitress. Then after a few more minutes I saw the manager return so I asked him if he could take my money because I wanted to leave. He then went outside and got my waitress who came in and took my money.

Needles to say, Johnny Rockets has gotten the last of my business and in fact, we ate twice at Steak & Shake and it was great, both food and service.

I see you had a good and and na bad but did you have an UGLY? :clap2:

[graciegirl]

In a year here we have tried twice - both times similar to outlined above. One question that comes to my mind that has not been mentioned. You would think that the retail leasing function of The Villages would do some sort of a survey before they leased their prime locations at least. The "Quality" aspect of their total operation seems to be above reproach. If they are not that interested in the initial lease process one would think they would do some follow up. Perhaps they rely on the annual survey? Johnny Rockets certainly does nothing to lend itself to the overall villages environment and needs to be made to answer.

I agree and I betcha that Johnny Rockets nationally must be floundering, but a few years ago they were found in prestigious malls and high class areas.

But,I can't think how the Retail Leasing department could dictate how a person runs their business. I'd guess the reputation of Johnny Rockets was positive when they began their lease. They would have to prove their credit worthiness.

If they are crummy and lose business the rent is still due. Obviously that franchise has serious management problems.

A lease is a contract between a renter and a landlord. Unless they damage the property or put someone in danger I can't think legally how you would word a contract to evaluate quality service although I completely agree it would be best to do so.

It is a problem throughout The Villages to find good food managers it seems. There are more issues reported about poor management in restaurants than any other problem. I then would assume that they do not offer enough money to get really highly experienced help and I guess that is because we villagers would not frequent these places if they had higher prices for food and service.

Follow the money. Maybe the rent is really high and they have to cut cost somehow....

[ilovetv]

Personally, I like the food at Chik-Fil-A, and their breakfasts are better than Steak and Shake, I think. I'd like to see Chik at LSL in place of JR.

Chik-Fil-A corp. management emphasizes hiring people who are clean-cut with decent values and manners.

It seems to me that the problem with most restaurants getting complaints here is the work ethic (or lack of it) of the servers and some shift managers.

Attitude is very important and goes a long way toward easing a problem with something that went wrong. We've seen the "I don't care" attitude at JR and other places in LSL and it's hard to understand in this economy where so many people are out of work and would love to have any kind of job.

[starflyte1]

I think that all Chick A Fills are closed on Sundays. That could be a problem for leasing in TV.

A Steak and Shake would be nice and would love to have a Hooters. Since the Hooters closed in Ocala, I still haven't found any wings I like as well.

[Challenger]

Chick Fil A or Hooters- now there is an interesting ideoligical choice.:22yikes:

[Pturner]

I'd love to see an excellent local eatery. National franchise box meals just don't ...cut the mustard. :duck:

Yes, I realize I'm in the minority.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

.......National franchise box meals just don't ...cut the mustard. :duck:...........

Better than..........cutting.............the............. :shocked:

Bill :wave:

[Dirigo]

Why in the world would anyone over the age of 21 go to Johnny Rockets when you can go to Cody's Roadhouse (1 block away) for a "bar burger" which is a quarter pound of fresh ground sirloin on a bun with the good fixings for $1.99 and a large (34 oz) or two 16 oz beers for $3.50? Johnny Rockets has no view of Lake Sumter like Cody's nor do they offer free peanuts.

I suspect those Cody's bar burgers are not pure hamburger. The ones we had had a meatloaf-like texture...as if some bread crumbs incorporated into make the burger more profitable.

That and a couple microwaved rotisserie chickens caused us to cross Cody's off our list of restaurants to frequent in TV.

[Pturner]

Better than..........cutting.............the............. :shocked:

Bill :wave:

Especially downwind. :swear:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Especially downwind. :swear:

Boy howdy!!! :eek:

Bill

[graciegirl]

Chick Fil A or Hooters- now there is an interesting ideoligical choice.:22yikes:

Wings or.............?:1rotfl:

[BookBarb]

I'd love to see an excellent local eatery. National franchise box meals just don't ...cut the mustard. :duck:

Yes, I realize I'm in the minority.

We were down in March to check out TV, and were waiting to see our salesperson after lunch. We were trying to decide between Johnny Rockets and Urban Flats. Guess we made the right choice, because my husband, Tom, thought Urban Flats was great. I agree with him. From the post, it sounds as if JR would have been a disappoinment. I noticed people referring to JR, but didn't know what that was (I'm not the Rocket Scientist in our family, that's our son).

We're looking forward to checking out more GOOD places when we come down in July to "get our house started"

[Tbugs]

Dirigo,

I have had the Bar Burgers at Cody's many times. Never had one that had a meat-loaf texture or looked as though bread crumbs were added to stretch it. Always looks and tastes like 100% top quality beef.

Do you mean that the rotisserie chicken was done in a microwave oven or was heated up in a microwave oven? Once again, I have had the rotisserie chicken many times and never had a problem with it. It is great on their "After Church" special at only $7.99 on Sundays from 11 am until 3 pm. I always get there just about 11 (after church) so the chickens are fresh off the rotisserie, I guess.

[Mudder]

For the first time ever we ate at a JR last week. It was in Providence, RI airport. Wow, we loved it and said we need to go to the one right here at home in TV. Thanks to all for saving us the trip ! Will wait for airport again.

[jblum315]

I went to JR first time about 2 years ago, thought it was great. Went back about 6 months later with guests, it was awful and I was embarrassed. Won't be trying it again, not when I can go to nearby TooJays and know that it will be good.

[Indydealmaker]

My wife and I also gave Johnny Rockets two tries since we moved to TV last July. Unlike most of our visits to Johnny Rockets venues around the U.S. and even on cruises, the TV restaurant was dirty, poorly managed and definitely not up to TV standards. Accordingly, I emailed a note yesterday with a link to this forum topic to Virgie Pandes, the administrative assistant to Marketing and Operations for Johnny Rockets. I promptly received this reply: "Thank you for your interest in Johnny Rockets. Your comments and the link were forwarded to our Regional Director of Operations in the Florida area, our marketing staff and our Vice President of Operations for review and action."

Maybe we can get lucky now and experience a transformation!

[diskman]

My wife and I also gave Johnny Rockets two tries since we moved to TV last July. Unlike most of our visits to Johnny Rockets venues around the U.S. and even on cruises, the TV restaurant was dirty, poorly managed and definitely not up to TV standards. Accordingly, I emailed a note yesterday with a link to this forum topic to Virgie Pandes, the administrative assistant to Marketing and Operations for Johnny Rockets. I promptly received this reply: "Thank you for your interest in Johnny Rockets. Your comments and the link were forwarded to our Regional Director of Operations in the Florida area, our marketing staff and our Vice President of Operations for review and action."

Maybe we can get lucky now and experience a transformation!

someone should forward this entire thread to Johnny Rockets corp head quarters or at least the management of this location (me i'm still a wannabe)

[Bogie Shooter]

someone should forward this entire thread to Johnny Rockets corp head quarters or at least the management of this location (me i'm still a wannabe)

See post #46.

[billethkid]

When JR first opened up the owners were ever present. In recent years you would be hard pressed to find him anywhere nearby.
Their problem is poor service and not so good food.
Pure and simple. And I would bet the owner knows the problem.

btk

[Bogie Shooter]

When JR first opened up the owners were ever present. In recent years you would be hard pressed to find him anywhere nearby.
Their problem is poor service and not so good food.
Pure and simple. And I would bet the owner knows the problem.

btk

The first owner is no longer the owner.

[Mikeod]

The first owner is no longer the owner.
Why is that not a surprise. How any times have I seen a going business bought out and the new owner sacrifices the quality to improve profits. Soon, the business fails for lack of customers.