2002
1
$100,000
$400,000
$482,550
No
Imagine owning a restaurant where both children and adults alike are transported into the whimsical world of chugging model trains, laughter, and nostalgia—Choo Choo Johnny’s Eatery offers exactly that. Blending high-quality food, fun family atmosphere, and a theme that sparks celebration every day, this franchise is positioned to capture growing demand for family-friendly dining and experiential eateries in America. With a reputation deeply rooted in creativity, excellent service, and a unique visual and interactive concept, Choo Choo Johnny’s aims to stand out in the crowded food & beverage landscape. As people seek out more than just great food—seeking memorable experiences—this is a franchise poised to deliver both, while delivering solid returns for its owners.
Unique Differentiation: The train theme—meals delivered by model train, interactive model train displays, children’s entertainment—makes Choo Choo Johnny’s more than “just another family restaurant.” It bridges dining and entertainment, which helps draw in families, birthday parties, school events, and special occasions.
Growing Market for Experiential Dining: Consumers increasingly favor dining experiences—not just food. A place where ambience, novelty and fun matter is more likely to generate word-of-mouth, repeat visits, and high customer loyalty. The concept taps into nostalgia & childhood memories, which many adults want to share with their kids.
Family-Oriented Demographic: Families with young children are a large, stable customer segment. When parents look for a place where their children are entertained and safe, with good food and a fun environment, Choo Choo Johnny’s delivers.
Proven Local Success: The original location in Frankfort, Illinois, and other ventures show that the concept works—drawing visitors from suburbs, even from other states. This suggests scalability.
Moderate Investment with Solid Returns: While startup costs are meaningful, the required investment is within reach for many qualified franchisees. With the right location, sound operations, and effective marketing, there is good potential for return on investment within a reasonable timeframe.
Established Year & Founders: Choo Choo Johnny’s Eatery was founded in 2002 by John and Patricia Ethell in Frankfort, Illinois.
Founders’ Background: John Ethell has a background in economics and trading; Patricia has experience in sales, marketing, and managing family and business relationships. They created the restaurant inspired in part by their challenges raising children and wanting a place that was fun for kids, yet satisfying for adults.
Franchising & Units: Choo Choo Johnny’s became an official franchise system in 2005. As of recent data, there is only 1 operational franchised unit beyond the original (or the system is very small).
Theme & Brand Journey: The core theme is railroad / model trains, with food delivered via model train on track, interactive train displays, themed music (children’s, country, etc.), wall‐trains, etc. The layout and decor are built around family engagement. From humble beginnings, the founders developed the design, menu, operations, and then introduced franchising. The brand aims to expand across the nation with a strong experiential niche.
Ownership & Market Presence: Still founded and controlled by the original founders (John & Patricia Ethell) or their organization; operations remain concentrated in the Illinois area, but interested in growth. It competes in the full-service family dining / themed restaurant category in the US food service industry.
To help ensure franchisees succeed, Choo Choo Johnny’s offers multiple layers of support:
Pre-Launch Support:
Site selection assistance: guidance on choosing high-traffic family-friendly locations, demographic analysis.
Lease negotiation, build-out design help, architectural plans adapted to the train-theme, obtaining permits, interior design specifications (model train tracks, displays, lighting).
Equipment sourcing: kitchen equipment, furniture, train-delivery systems.
Training:
Initial training for the franchisee and key staff in food preparation & quality (menu standards), customer service, train delivery procedures, health & safety, sanitation.
Operational systems training: POS systems, inventory, scheduling, supplier management.
Marketing & branding training: how to use themed promotions, local marketing, social media, special events.
Marketing Support:
National / system-wide branding (if applicable), including theme guidelines, menus, promotional materials.
Local store marketing: grand opening campaigns, community outreach (schools, families), event tie-ins.
Digital presence support: social media templates, website listing, possibly loyalty programs.
Ongoing Support:
Regular operational reviews, support visits from franchisor.
Menu development updates (seasonal specials, new offerings), quality control.
Ongoing training refreshers.
Assistance with new marketing initiatives, promotions, possibly with coordinated regional/national campaigns.
Academic / Operational Best Practices: Engaging updates, standard operating procedures (SOPs) manuals, safety and compliance, child-friendly operations, entertainment safety.
The kind of person (or team) who would do well owning a Choo Choo Johnny’s franchise has the following traits:
A passion for family dining, hospitality, and entertainment. Someone who enjoys working with kids, loves creating memorable experiences, and takes pride in customer service.
Some prior restaurant, retail, or hospitality experience is very helpful—especially experience with full-service restaurants or themed entertainment venues. But the system is designed to provide training, so a newcomer with strong management skills and willingness to learn may succeed.
Financial capacity: Having sufficient liquid capital, net worth, and ability to invest in build-out, infrastructure, working capital, and marketing.
Strong business skills: planning, staff management, cost control, and customer engagement.
Location mindset: Best in suburban markets with family populations; areas with good visibility, traffic, easy parking; locations around residential suburbs, shopping centers, family entertainment areas.
Commitment to brand standards: fidelity to the theme, quality, service, cleanliness, maintaining the décor and customer experience as envisioned.
Long-term mindset: Understand that building traffic, repeat customers, and reputation will take time. Willing to invest in community, make marketing efforts, possibly run local events.
| Financial Category | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Initial Investment | Approximately $331,200 to $482,550 required to open a Choo Choo Johnny’s franchise unit. |
| Liquid Capital Required | At least $100,000 in liquid capital. |
| Minimum Net Worth Required | Around $400,000. |
| Franchise Fee | Specific data is sparse; sources do not clearly list the franchise fee or royalty fees. However, there is mention of a veterans’ discount (for the franchise fee) in certain cases. |
| Royalty & Advertising Fees | Not publicly disclosed (royalty fee, ongoing advertising fee both “N/A” in some listings). Prospective franchisees should request the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for details. |
| Working Capital / Infrastructure Costs | The higher end of the investment range includes build-out, equipment, theme decor, train delivery systems, furniture etc. Working capital to cover payroll, utilities, initial inventory, operations until break-even. The lower end may reflect less costly real estate, leaner décor, smaller footprint. |
| Break-Even Time | Not officially published. Based on typical family-restaurant benchmarks and given the uniqueness of the theme, break-even may take anywhere from 18 to 36 months, depending on location, operating efficiencies, local market strength. (Estimate only) |
| Expected ROI | ROI depends heavily on local market, traffic, margins. With conservative estimates, once operational efficiencies are achieved and awareness built, returns could become attractive — perhaps 15-25 % annual return on invested capital in mature units. (Estimate) |
| Potential Revenue Streams | In addition to dine-in sales: take-out, catering, birthday parties and special events, merchandise (train-theme novelties), seasonal promotions. Also possibly delivery or licensing in some venues. |
| Franchise Units & Expansion Plans | As of recent data, only a very few franchised units; expansion is nascent. The brand has expressed the goal to expand nationwide. |
