West Acres announces newest food court tenant

FARGO – A Johnny Rockets will zoom into a vacant spot in West Acres Shopping Center’s food court this spring.
And it’s likely just the first of the hamburger chain to launch here.
Johnny Rockets, known for its all-American fare, will open in the space that housed a McDonald’s until it closed in June 2013.
Menu items include hamburgers, American fries, hand-spun shakes and classic sandwiches, as well as kids’ meals.
Johnny Rockets, a global restaurant franchise, has about 330 franchise and corporate locations in 32 states and 27 countries, according to johnnyrockets.com
This is the first in North Dakota. There is one Johnny Rockets in Minnesota, at the Mall of America.
The West Acres restaurant will be locally owned and operated by VR Industries, LLC. Randy Martinson, a principal of the company with Vance Stemen, said they thought Johnny Rockets would be a good fit for Fargo.
“We thought with the economy in Fargo and North Dakota in general, and the hamburgers, the malts, the shakes, it would fit in pretty good with our demographics,” Martinson said.
Martinson said they plan to expand to other locations, though they are concentrating on getting the mall restaurant up and running first. He hopes it will open in April.
“Fargo is definitely big enough to have more than one,” he said.
Martinson said the mall location will employ 15 to 20 people. He said counter seating with stools for four to five customers will be set up in an alcove to the left of the storefront.
Alissa Adams, senior vice president of marketing and business development at West Acres, said in a news release that Johnny Rockets fills a niche in the mix of food court options.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer a wider selection of choices to our customers, and the upbeat, fun atmosphere of Johnny Rockets is sure to leave guests satisfied,” she said.