JB #1 BURRITO in Charlotte !!!

Ugly Money Updating NOW !!! Over $1,750 - 50+ , 250+ bills total !!! Over 125,000 hits !!!

30. AOL City Guide     February, 2004

"CITY'S BEST MEXICAN FOOD"

A note about awards / recognition...
Being a small business owner, I have learned some publications will give you a "Best" award for advertising
in their periodical.  Just so you know, we do not "buy" awards.   Everything you see here has been honestly
earned in pursuit of providing the BEST BURRITOS in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA !!!

Here's info about AOL City Guide selection criteria...
"Ultimately, all recommendations are reviewed by the Local editorial staff, who make decisions based on user and editorial opinions and other available resources. The choices are not related to, or influenced by, advertising or partner relationships."

29. The Charlotte Observer  Sunday, January 11, 2004
        Business Sunday section - "Insider"

So, what do burrito makers eat for lunch ?

The Big I ran into Charlotte burrito king John Bitter this month plinking down $32 for Fuel Pizza takeout.  Seems that every Friday, Bitter buys breakfast (doughnuts, sausage biscuits) and lunch for workers at his Johnny Burrito in the basement of 301 S. Tryon St.

Popular lunch choices include South 21 burgers, Matt's Chicago Dogs - and pizza.

"You can't eat burritos day," Bitter confided.

Could it be that kind of insight that keeps employees with him for years ?

28. The Charlotte Observer  Monday, March 17, 2003
        Business Monday section - "Insider"

27. The Charlotte Observer  Monday, December 16, 2002

"Cola wars hit Charlotte"
(We are mentioned as one of the former cola battlefields, along with United Airlines & Blimpie International.)

By Leigh Dyer

The cola wars are coming to SouthPark mall.  Simon Property Group, the Indianapolis-based company that owns SouthPark, recently signed a marketing agreement with Coca-Cola Co. The agreement covers exclusive promotional and vending rights in all mall common areas. The agreement marks a switch from PepsiCo Inc.'s Pepsi-Cola division, which had done business with Simon for several years.

In the first few days of January, SouthPark shoppers can expect to see new Coca-Cola vending machines in the mall. SouthPark also will work with Coca-Cola's Charlotte bottler to organize special events. "We look forward to brainstorming with the local folks to see what kind of promotional opportunities we can come up with," Thomas said.

SouthPark is among 249 properties owned by Simon; more than 100 million shoppers visit the company's properties annually.

The two cola giants have battled for years. In March, United Airlines replaced Coca-Cola and Diet Coke with Pepsi and Diet Pepsi on all of its flights. A month earlier, Blimpie International dropped Coca-Cola from its 1,900 sandwich outlets in favor of Pepsi. In August, Johnny Burrito in downtown held a people's choice contest to determine which cola the restaurant would serve. Coke won.

26. The Charlotte Observer     Friday, October 11, 2002

"5 days, 5 lunches, $35 - Can it de done?"
"Go Uptown with Robin Hall Domeier for a week's worth of lunches on a budget"

Monday

TIP: Paper, not plastic.

In this case, paper means cash and plastic means credit & debit cards.  To keep from exceeding my budget, I withdrew $35 in cash at the beginning of the week.  Using plastic makes it too easy to spend more than you should.  To help keep yourself honest, take to lunch only the money you'll use for the day.  You can't spend what you don't have.
On Monday, I wanted to eat cheap but be somewhat health-conscious.  I headed to Johnny Burrito (Second and College streets, inside Two Wachovia Center (704)371-4448), for a veggie burrito.
The burrito's yellow squash, zucchini and sautéed mushrooms are a wonderful replacement for meat.  The addition of flaming habanero salsa started my week off with a bang.
The $4.75 price is certainly nice.  The kitty at day's end stands at $30.25.

She ends the week spending $31.35, leaving $3.65

25. The Charlotte Observer    Saturday, August 10, 2002

"Colas battle for burrito customers"

By Ellison Clary

A cola war is raging in center city Charlotte, and a local burrito stand is the battlefield.

Soft drink titans Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola are battling for John Bitter's business. In a microcosm of the fight for global market share, representatives from both cola companies have tried to woo Bitter to serve their respective brands at his Johnny Burrito stand in the Ivey's condo building on North Tryon Street.

Coke and Pepsi reps have offered Bitter price breaks, free promotional materials and marketing trinkets, such as branded cups with the Johnny Burrito logo.

Bitter, however, has taken a democratic approach to picking which soda he'll serve at the Ivey's location -- he's letting customers decide.

Bitter installed a marker board by the cash register Friday so his lunch patrons can vote for their favored flavor. He'll tally the results through Friday . The most popular pop will win his business.

Mary Rantala gave the nod to Coke. She's all for voting -- she recently had friends cast ballots on the color of wall paint for her house. (Cranberry beat beige.) Her lunch companion and Bank of America colleague, Ann Travis, also favored Coke -- although everyone else in her family would have voted for Pepsi, she said.

Coke took a 113 to 43 lead at the close of business Friday.

Bitter, who drives a 1965 lime-green Dodge "burrito mobile," serves between 4,000 and 5,000 customers a week at his Ivey's location and another stand on South Tryon Street. That's about 750 drinks a day, he figures. He'd offer both brands, but he doesn't have space for an extra fountain in his small Ivey's location.

In any case, Coke and Pepsi sales representatives don't allow each other's products on the fountain setups they provide. Bitter serves Coke brands at his South Tryon location and offered Coke at Ivey's as of Monday, when he moved into different space facing Tryon Street that was outfitted for Pepsi.

Though total Coke products lead Pepsi's brands in market share nationally -- roughly 44 percent to 32 percent -- the two giant bottlers are duking it out for supremacy here.

"It's about one-third, one-third in Charlotte market share," said Darrell Holland, executive vice president of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Charlotte, Inc. "The lead changes one or two times a year."

Charlotte's Pepsi bottler ranks among the nation's top 25, based on gross sales of more than $100 million a year, Holland said. It supplies an area spanning from Albemarle to Shelby. Alison Patient of Charlotte's Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, welcomes the competition. "We think (Bitter) will end up serving Coke because more people are going to like it," said the bottler's corporate affairs director.

The Charlotte operation is the second-largest Coke bottler in the country, based on sales volume. The company serves 11 states and reported more than $340 million in net sales for the second quarter of 2002.

Patient claimed that Coke enjoys larger local market share at the moment, but acknowledged the Charlotte market is "very competitive." She wouldn't comment on lead switches.

Bryan Spillane, an analyst who tracks Coke for Banc of America Securities out of New York, applauded Bitter's ploy. "It's unique," he said.

Nationally, he said, chains such as McDonald's and Burger King side with Coke, whose lemon-lime Sprite drink is a much stronger seller than Pepsi's relatively new Sierra Mist.

Chains once owned by Pepsi are some of the larger users of its sodas, including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, he said.

Locally, Pepsi is the cola of choice at Jersey Mike's, Tony's Oyster Bar, the Graduate Pub, Bojangles' and at area Wendy's restaurants.

Analyst Todd Stender of Crowell, Weedon & Co. follows Pepsi from his Los Angeles office. He, too, is interested in the Charlotte contest. "That's tremendous," he exclaimed. He's not sure the burrito-stand battle will turn heads nationally, but he calls it good business acumen.

"It shows the customers (Bitter) cares about their opinion," Stender said.

24. AOL Local Guide     June, 2002

"BEST MEXICAN FOOD"

JB one of nine area restaurants selected as "BEST MEXICAN FOOD"...

Johnny Burrito 301 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-371-4448

If the lines snaking out the door every day at lunch don't convince you that Johnny Burrito is one of the best
joints in town maybe this will: Johnny Burrito is the cleanest restaurant in Charlotte, usually scoring more than
100 percent on inspections (it gets two points for having Serv Safe certification).   Still not convinced?
Well, usually one visit is all it takes, and soon you'll be singing Johnny's praises.

Johnny Burrito is a tiny place, with a handful of seats in a sparsely decorated room.   Service is strictly
do-it-yourself, which is part of the appeal.  When you get to the head of the line, you ''walk the line,'' choosing
all the condiments and veggies you want inside your burrito.  The first decision is the kind of burrito you want:
rice and bean, veggie, chicken, steak, picadillo or a combination of any two meats. Then you choose your
fillings.  Choose from rice, beans, mushrooms, cheese, lettuce, black olives, pico de gallo, guacamole,
cilantro, sour cream... the list goes on.  Though the line stretches out the door, it moves quickly, getting you in
and out and, sadly, back to the office.  Help yourself to complimentary pre-meal (Beano) and post-meal
(chiclets) treats.  Prices are low, with most burritos $5-$6 for a large.   (Photo: Bryan Gupton)

23. The Charlotte Monitor     May, 2002

"The streak continues...Both Johnny Burrito locations score 102% perfect scores making it seven straight 100%+ scores for the establishments"

Seven in a row!  The staff at Johnny Burritos in Charlotte's Two First Union Center is all smiles after getting a sanitation score of 100.  It's the seventh straight time that a Johnny Burritos has earned a perfect score.

But it's no surprise that these folks keep Johnny Burritos so clean.   Everytime they score 100, each employee gets a $100 bonus from owner John Bitter who says his goal is to have the best food and the cleanest restaurant in Charlotte.

Note: Restaurants can receive a maximum of two extra points for successfully completing the State-sponsored "Serv-safe" foodservice training course.  35 hours of classroom training covers topics for time / temp rules, safe food handling, proper sanitation, effective hand & dishwashing, foodbourne illnesses & many others.  A 75 question multiple choice test must be passed before a two-year certification is granted.

22. The Charlotte Observer     Monday, April 15, 2002

"Retailers try to tame turnover"
"Employer's search for the right incentives to keep good workers on their payrolls"
By Leigh Dyer, Staff Writer

In the shaky economy, jobs are filling much more quickly at J.C. Penny, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and McDonald's these days.  You might think one the biggest gripes of retail and restaurant employers - a too-high employee turnover rate - is solved.  You'd be wrong.

More writing, but we'll cut to the chase for you...

One small, locally owned business haw a turnover record that many companies would envy: Johnny Burrito, which has about 15 employees in two uptown restaurants.  Most of owner John Bitter's employees have been there two years or longer.

21. Unlimited Magazine     June, 2002

Johnny Burrito voted one of the 10 BEST BURRITOS in the South !!!
Not just Charlotte, but of all the South !!!  WOW, THANKS to all who voted...

Johnny Burrito | Charlotte, NC 704-371-4448  Not only do the have the best burritos in Charlotte, but the cleanest kitchen, too.  Choose from 18 different fillings to stuff your own custom burrito, which easily feed two - even if they haven't eaten in days.  That makes every day Cinco de Mayo here!

20. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, April 9, 2002
        The Charlotte Observer      Friday, April 12, 2002

JB #1 & #2:
HIGHEST health inspection scores of the week

NBC6 link to "Eat, Drink & Be Wary...

Search restaurant health inspections...

As reported by Stewart Watson & "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" - of the three highest health scores given last week, Johnny Burrito received two of the three.  Both restaurants scored a perfect 102 %  In addition, the scores are reported in each Friday's "E & T" section of the "The Charlotte Observer".

Note - We are randomly inspected every three months by a Mecklenburg Health Inspector that arrives unannounced.  Total possible score is 102%, as we have completed a "ServSafe" foodservice certification course & receive two additional bonus points on each inspection.  Take a look at scores in restaurants you visit - you will rarely see above 95 - with or without the bonus.  Since opening three years ago, we have consistently scored above 99% !!!  We are serious about GREAT FOOD & CLEANLINESS !!!  Come see for yourself.

19. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, January 22, 2002

Reporter Stewart Watson of "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" announced the weeks highest health inspection scores.  Johnny Burrito #1 received a 101 !!!  That's possible with a 99 plus the two bonus points for "ServSafe" certification !!!

18. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, January 8, 2002

Reporter Stewart Watson of "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" announced the weeks highest health inspection scores.  Johnny Burrito #2 received a 101 !!!  That's possible with a 99 plus the two bonus points for "ServSafe" certification !!!

17. Charlotte Taste     Fall 2001

In Search of Charlotte's Ultimate Burrito

Editor's Burrito Picks

Johnny Burrito
If loads of paperwork, emails and phone calls to return are keeping you from exploring Charlotte's Mexican food scene during your lunch hour, then Johnny Burrito has got your number: and you can have theirs.  You can fax ahead your order to beat the long, but quickly moving lunch line for one of their tasty six burritos ranging from $4 to $6 (actually $3.75 - $6.50).  This highly customized burrito joint offers nine (actually 18 !!!) different fillings (as many as you like)to stuff your burrito to the max.   Call 704.371.4448 for the JB #1 Fax Order Sheet.  They will even deliver with a 10-burrito minimum for lunch in a pinch.  Also check out their interesting nacho salads like the Veggie Nacho Salad with Zucchini and Yellow Squash, or a Moon Pie for dessert !  Johnny Burrito #2 is five blocks further north on Tryon.

301 South Tryon Street at Two First Union Center Atrium  704.371.4448
127 North Tryon Street  704.342.0220
Hours Mon-Fri 11am to 3 pm

Taqueria Mexico was also an Editor's Pick.

16. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Reporter Stewart Watson of "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" announced the weeks highest health inspection scores.  Johnny Burrito #1 received a 102 !!!  That's possible with a perfect score plus the two bonus points for "ServSafe" certification !!!  Mr. Watson again mentioned we are "Charlotte's cleanest restaurant" & complimented us on our consistent record of high health scores.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg inspections for all restaurants are easily available on-line...
Official Department of Health website

15. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, August 28, 2001

Reporter Stewart Watson of "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" announced the weeks highest health inspection scores.  Johnny Burrito #2, managed by Ted Hoesch, received a 101 !!!  Mr. Watson also mentioned we are "Charlotte's cleanest restaurant" & complimented us on our consistent record of high health scores.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg inspections for all restaurants are easily available on-line...
Official Department of Health website

14. Voted #1 Burrito in Charlotte      August, 2001

"CitySearch" conducted an on-line poll for 6 weeks ending Aug 29, 2001.  JB won "BEST BURRITO" !!!   We also received 22 eater reviews - FIVE TIMES any other burrito place in Charlotte !!!  We were also #11 on the "Best Cheap Eats" vote & # 9 "Best Takeout" in Charlotte.

13. Top Ten BEST "Cheap Eats"         August, 2001

One of Charlotte's ten BEST "Cheap Eats".  Quite an honor to us, considering we are listed with Gus' Sir Beef, Spoon's, Price's Chicken Coop, John's Country Kitchen & Anntony's Caribbean Cafe.  These are places that have been around Charlotte for a long time & have come to define some of Charlotte's better family-owned & operated restaurants.  We are humbled to be included in such great company.  Thank you.  Also, you leave an eater review.

12. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, August 7, 2001

Reporter Stewart Watson of "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" interviewed owner Johnny Bitter about glove use in the food service industry.  Johnny tells Stewart the gloves are worn for customer safety & the crew changes gloves often.   Johnny Burrito uses more than 100 gloves for the lunch rush.  The current health score of 101% was highlighted, as well as our consistent record of high sanitation scores.  Lots of close-ups of gloved hands.

11.      July 2001

With an average score consistently over 100% "Johnny Burrito" earns distinction of
Charlotte's cleanest restaurant.

Edited by Cameron Garrison

Over the past year, one Charlotte restaurant has stood head & shoulders above the rest when it comes to sanitation ratings.

Johnny Burrito, with two uptown locations, not only focuses on good food, but also on the cleanliness of the restaurant in which they serve that food.

Johnny Bitter, the owner, uses the Charlotte Monitor as a training tool, and when his employees earn the restaurant a spot in our 100 Club, he rewards them with $100 bonuses to celebrate.

On the back page of this month's issue, you'll find both Johnny Burrito locations gracing the 100 Club.  And it's not the first time.

Since December of last year the two locations have been inspected 6 times.  Of those six, only one wasn't over 100% (it was a 99.5%).

With an average score of 100.6%, we take our hat off to Johnny Burrito as Charlotte's cleanest restaurant.

You can see all the of the Charlotte restaurants that scored over 100% this past month on the back page in the "Techno-com 100 Club."

10. NBC-6 News, 11:00 PM     Tuesday, May 29, 2001
        The Charlotte Observer      Friday, June 1, 2001

JB #1 & #2:
HIGHEST health inspection scores of the week

NBC6 link to "Eat, Drink & Be Wary...

Search restaurant health inspections...

As reported by Stewart Watson & "Eat, Drink & Be Wary" - of the three highest health scores given last week, Johnny Burrito received two of the three.  JB #1 came in at 101% & JB #2 received 100.5%.  In addition, the scores are reported in each Friday's "E & T" section of the "The Charlotte Observer".

Note - We are randomly inspected every three months by a Mecklenburg Health Inspector that arrives unannounced.  Total possible score is 102%, as we have completed a "ServSafe" foodservice certification course & receive two additional bonus points on each inspection.  Take a look at scores in restaurants you visit - you will rarely see above 95 - with or without the bonus.  Since opening three years ago, we have consistently scored above 99% !!!  We are serious about GREAT FOOD & CLEANLINESS !!!  Come see for yourself.

9. Creative Loafing, Dining Guide     Spring 2001

Johnny Burrito - Hard to find, Worth The Effort

Since opening in 1998, Johnny Burrito has won awards for its California-style burritos, including the #1 Burrito ranking by The Charlotte Observer & "Best Burrito" from Creative Loafing critics.

With two Uptown locations (Two First Union & Ivey's), JB offers the best in custom burritos and nacho salads to all the Uptown crowd. To start, order chicken, steak, ground beef, the weekly special, veggie or rice and bean. Then, YOU CHOOSE from 15+ fresh fillings while you "walk the line" & create your own taste sensation. With the diversity of toppings, JB appeals to almost everyone, even those who don't eat traditional Mexican food.

And Johnny Burrito knows cleanliness - both stores maintain 99%+ on all health inspections. Delivery & catering available for meetings, events & promotions. Visit: johnnyburrito.com Credit cards accepted.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm.

#1 - Two First Union Center:   Under the Atrium
301 South Tryon St. 704-371-4448

#2 - Ivey's Building:   Inside, towards the back
127 North Tryon St.   (Across from Bank of America Corp.Center)
704-342-0220

8. The Charlotte Observer      Friday, September 22, 2000

Fun, fast, filling: Burritos find a growing market niche

By ROBIN HALL DOMEIER, Special to The Observer

All restaurants hope to create a niche - find a category that can belong to them.  But what belongs to one now will belong to others later - especially if it's popular.  Thus the story of the burrito in Charlotte.

Now, Johnny Burrito, New York Burrito, Phat Burrito, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Salsarita's Fresh Burrito and Uptown Burrito are competitors.  (I'll get the rest in later...)

A look at the six, from good to best:

6. New York Burrito.

5. Uptown Burrito.

4. Qdoba Mexican Grill.

3. Salsarita's Fresh Burritos.

2. Phat Burrito.

1. JOHNNY BURRITO.

7. Creative Loafing     August 5, 2000

BEST Of Charlotte 2000

BEST BURRITO, Critic's Picks (TWO years in a row !!! Thank you)

"A favorite among the downtown crowd."

6. The Restaurant Report     February, 2000

Johnny Burrito

"Probably the cleanest lunch spot in uptown, and some of the best food too!"

Cameron Garrison, Editor

To find Johnny Burrito, just enter the shops under the First Union Atrium and follow the crowd.   Everyday starting well before noon, they have a line that backs out the door & into the food court.  But, don't worry they'll get you out of there in a hurry.

One of the things that makes Johnny Burrito so interesting is their sanitation record.  They've had back to back inspections in which they scored over 100%.  Their most recent, December, 14th was a score of 102% -- the highest possible score.

When NBC6 investigative reporter Stuart Watson paid a visit to find out what they were doing right, owner Johnny Bitter told an interesting story.

He uses The Restaurant Report to his advantage.  He uses our paper to help his employees better understand sanitation.  And to add a little incentive - if his restaurant gets a 100% - everybody gets a $100 bonus.

So, how's the food.  Our staff tried them for lunch & really enjoyed it.  The burritos are excellent.  They're stuffed so full of ingredients that the employees give everyone fair warning, "peel back the foil & eat it like you would a banana."  Trust me, you'll want to heed that bit of advice or your lunch will be on you all day long.

Again, Johnny Burrito is located in the food court under the First Union atrium (302 s. Tryon St.)  They're open until 3:00pm everyday for lunch.  Try them, you're not only eating on one of Charlotte's cleanest restaurants - but one of the best!

5. The Charlotte Observer      Business Monday Section
October 18, 1999

A real Flying Burrito ???

Raleigh may have the only major league hockey team in North Carolina, the Carolina Hurricanes, but the Charlotte Checkers have them beat on promotions. Johnny Bitter, owner of Johnny Burrito, a Charlotte restaurant, will hit the Checkers' home ice this season in a lime green burrito mobile equipped with an air gun that will shoot burritos and T-shirts to fans in the stands. Bitter and some pals will launch five burritos and five JB T-shirts between the first and second periods during weeknight home games. In addition to learning to drive on ice, Bitter's crew had to get the right pressure on the burrito gun. The first practice shot fell short and the second went blasting into the rafters, but the crew finally got the burritos arcing gracefully into the stands.

4. The Charlotte Observer     Tuesday, September 1, 1998

Dining with a Latin flavor

Several new spots accommodate the spicy of palate

By HELEN SCHWAB   Restaurant Writer

Johnny Burrito opened in June and has been doing big weekday lunch business, I'm told. Owner John Bitter, who had worked downtown for more than a decade, says he and friends had often discussed the need for Mexican food downtown, and these burritos (huge, foil-wrapped and what he calls California-style; ``you peel and eat 'em like a banana,'' he explains) filled the bill. So much so, in fact, that Patti and John Bitter are already considering other locations. Marinated, chargrilled chicken and steak, plus vegetables, are the fillings (salads made with these and chips are also offered); $3.25 to $6.25.

Clicking on Johnny Burrito in the article will display a map to the restaurant.

3. Creative Loafing     August 1999

BEST Of Charlotte 1999

BEST BURRITO, Critic's Picks

"A favorite among the downtown crowd."

2. The Charlotte Observer, Business Monday Section    August 24, 1998

Jake's may be gone, but heeeeere's Johnny. As in Johnny Burrito,the hot new carry-out lunch spot boasting the long lines in Overstreet Mall. On a recent quest for a zesty lunch, we saw Johnny himself - owner John Bitter-scooping out burrito stuffing with the rest of the workers in the assembly-line style operation.

Bitter was sporting a Red Bank hat in his Green Bank building location. He-also has a First Union hat, he insisted, 'cuz he used to work there for eight years "in corporate finance and a few other departments."  But when asked where it was, Bitter replied that he likes to change hats every day depending on who gives him the biggest order. Just so happened he took a big order from NationsBank the day we made it through the line.

Neither bank owns his business, by the way.  Big I met Bitter the day the stock market crashed last October He was in a cheery mood and buying mode at the time, noting that his Warren Buffett philosophy was allowing him to start Johnny Burrito with cash.

---

1. Charlotte Business Journal    June 29, 1998

Ex-First Union exec banks on burritos
Plenty of bankers but no burritos spurs business plan.
Ken Elkins / Staff Writer

John Bitter was ready for a career change.

"First he asked his boss at First Union Corp. fora new assignment as a securities salesman with the bank, which would mean he'd take a $35,000 cut in, his $60,000 salary as a marketing executive.

"Then I figured if we're going to take that kind of a cut, let's go ahead and do it ourselves," he says. "Do it ourselves" meant starting, a
fast-food business.

After a year of planning, Bitter and his wife, Patti, opened Johnny Burrito in the basement of Two First Union Center, the building where he had worked for eight years in First Union's marketing sections.

At the time, uptown didn't have a Mexican restaurant and the Bitters saw there was no I restaurant offering their specialty - large, California-style burritos - in all of Charlotte. "There are eight to 10 in Atlanta," says Patti Bitter, "and Asheville has two."

For the Bitters, it was a risk.  John Bitter's six-month leave of absence from first Union had ended and Patti Bitter had left her job at Ernst & Young 18 months earlier when she had a baby. But the couple had done their research.  John Bitter sat outside the former Pizza Inn site and counted the number of people who passed.   They wrote a business plan and got concessions from leasing agent Spectrum Properties to help pay start-up costs.They conducted "tasting parties" at their home to help determine which recipes, would be winners for Johnny Burrito customers.Using numbered trays of food and paper ballots, the couple asked friends to rate the ingredients. When you get nine out of 15 going, 'This is the one, that's the one you're serving," says Patti Bitter, 32.So far, the chances for success seem encouraging. During the first day of operation June 1, Johnny Burrito attracted 65 customers, followed by 65 on Day 2. The third day brought in 110.In their third week, the Bitters, along with their three full-time and three part-time employees, were serving 250 daily. That's half way toward their goal of 500 customers a day.Another aspect of the goal calls for Johnny Burrito to have $500,000 in revenue for the first year of operation.The burritos sell for $3.04 to $5.14, depending on the stuffing's and the size of the sandwich. The small restaurant, which has a few seats along one wall, also offers salsa, chips and beverages.The couple has visions of expanding to other locations and eventually to franchise the Johnny Burrito concept. "We want to create the prototype," says John Bitter, 35.Creating a model involves lots of changes.   After a few days of selling giant, California-style burritos, the Bitters added slightly smaller burritos, after customers suggested a smaller entree.Opening the restaurant involved several members of the couple's families. Some contributed start-up capital.  An aunt came up with the name after the initial idea, Willy's, fell out of favor.With their family's help, the Bitters were able to open Johnny Burrito without a loan.The two didn't open the restaurant without experience though.  The couple helped a cousin, Willy Bitter, open a similar restaurant three years ago in Atlanta."We kept saying, 'We need to have one in downtown Charlotte,"' John Bitter says. "Now we've got a friendly competition going on" between Charlotte and Atlanta.

John Bitter plans to contribute something else of his own in the coming weeks: a 1965 Dodge Town Wagon, a truck that he has painstakingly restored.  He will add Johnny Burrito's  logo of crossed chilies to the van as a bit of advertisement.

Home Page