Rats Sack Dan Snyder's Future G'town Eatery

WASHINGTON - It could be a while before a popular, D.C. restaurant opens its doors again.

Johnny Rockets on "M" Street in Georgetown was shut down by the District's Department of Health this week.

The restaurant chain, which Redskins owner Dan Snyder's Red Zone Capital Fund II has an agreement to buy, was issued a first citation before health officials came back a second time and closed the doors.

The District's Director of Health, Dr. Gregg Payne, said there were numerous health dangers observed, including:

• Failure to properly containerize trash;
• Failure to reduce the presence of rodents;
• Failure to produce a current license and operating with gross unsanitary conditions that may endanger public health.

On Feb. 27, health inspectors found "recent rodent activity" including "gnawed hamburger rolls."

Foam sealant to deter the rats from entering through a drain line in the kitchen sink was missing.

Health inspectors found small pieces of foam on the floor near the drain pipe, indicating the rats had burrowed through the opening, according to the inspection report.

Previous health inspections revealed that "food attractants" had accumulated at the cooking line, which also contributed to the rodent problem.

The building also had significant structural damage -- which is how the rodents found their way into the restaurant, Payne said.

The Johnny Rockets could be closed down for weeks, Payne said.

Calls to Dan Snyder were referred to the Johnny Rockets corporate headquarters.

A spokesman for Johnny Rockets acknowledged the past problems, but said they've been addressed.

"We subsequently corrected all those violations," said David Paine, a spokesman for Johnny Rockets. "However, the store has remained closed to make some construction improvements. We're hopeful that we can reopen the store as early as next week."

Paine said the construction involves correcting structural problems with the floor.

In a Feb. 9 statement regarding his Johnny Rockets acquisition, Snyder said that he expects the restaurant to grow significantly in the coming years.

Synder said he plans to expand to a series of smaller Johnny Rockets Express restaurants that will serve the chain's staple of burgers, fries and milkshakes.

The new eateries will be cheaper too, with capital expenses of $300,000 compared to $750,000 for a full restaurant.

"There's no reason we shouldn't expect see 1,000 Johnny Rockets locations within the next five years," Snyder said in the statement.

Terms of Snyder's purchase were not released.

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