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Freedom's Excelsior Celebrates 10 Years; Grove Courts Action Sports Events
Johnny Rockets Group Inc., the Aliso Viejo-based chain of 1940s-style hamburger diners, says it has hit the jackpot with its first amusement park venture after just one season.
The company last year agreed to put a restaurant in Cedar Point, the Sandusky, Ohio, flagship park of Cedar Fair LP, which also owns Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City in Buena Park.
The Ohio diner, at the park's main entrance, is the largest in square footage in the 140-store chain-and now is the company's highest-grossing franchise.
"It's been very successful for us," said Cathy Breen, director of marketing for Johnny Rockets.
Breen said the restaurant's showing is notable because the northeastern Ohio park, which draws around 3 million visitors a year, only is open five months out of the year. Knott's draws about the same number of visitors but is open year-round.
Despite the similarities in park attendance, Breen said there are no immediate plans to open at Knott's or other amusement parks.
"If the opportunity arose, we'd be interested, but we're not actively pursuing the market;' she said.
Another restaurant...