Choo Choo Johnny’s Eatery was founded by John and Patricia Ethell, husband and wife, who believe that a restaurant should not only have great food, but outstanding entertainment is a must!, especially if you have kids. Proud parents of three young girls, Meagan (9), Cameron (7), and Hailey (5), John and Patricia remember how hard it was to take them out to a nice restaurant when they were younger- the kids couldn’t sit still. And the places they could take them to, the food was not appetizing.

John and Patricia are both alumni from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. John graduated with a BS in Economics and Patricia graduated in Speech Communications and Business. John became a successful stock market trader and Patricia’s forte was in Sales/Marketing. After having the 3 girls, Patricia gave up her career and stayed home with the kids. “Twice a week I would take them out to the same places over and over again, always looking for new places to go, but there wasn’t any”, stated Patricia. As John’s interest in the Market faded, the couple’s interest in creating a new children’s restaurant flourished. As trading became a past-tense word, deciding what type of restaurant to open became more apparent. Along with John’s life long passion for trains, their concept was based on having a unique family-orientated restaurant that is entertaining, fun for kids, and where adults can be kids too! –A restaurant that serves the highest quality food and to top-the- cake-have it delivered via model train! After months of extensive training at various restaurants and through the help of their friends and family with the design and build, in December of 2002, in Frankfort, IL., John and Patricia Ethell opened the doors and gave the public a welcoming ticket to the “greatest train ride” in the southwest suburbs called “Choo Choo Johnny’s Eatery. Today, Choo Choo Johnny’s has become one of the most popular spots for kids in the Chicago suburbs! People travel from just about every suburb to experience this ultimate railroad restaurant. “It has become quite the tourist attraction”, stated John. “People have traveled from Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and a far south as Springfield, IL to visit us”. With a high demand for more restaurants, Choo Choo Johnny’s became an official franchise in August of 2005. They hope to expand across the nation and eventually become world wide.