These KU rugby players wanted a fun sports bar. Now they have 12 in Kansas City area

When Rick Renfro and Louie Riederer partnered in Johnny’s Tavern more than four decades ago, they were just hanging out in Lawrence, playing rugby and having fun.

They didn’t see then that it would be their lifelong career, growing to a dozen restaurants and 600 employees.

Now the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association will honor them as its 2021 Restaurateurs of the Year during its annual gala Saturday. The award recognizes a local restaurateur who continually demonstrates dedication to the industry and community.

Johnny’s dates to 1953, when John Wilson opened “a haven for the workingman” with plenty of cold beer and country tunes on the jukebox in North Lawrence. It still has its original sign with a giant beer mug and red arrow pointing the way.

Renfro and Riederer met at the University of Kansas in the mid-1970s, where they were roommates and rugby teammates.

Renfro purchased Johnny’s Tavern from Wilson in 1978. Riederer, who was still in college, was said to be his best customer and became a partner a couple of years later.

They called it a “fun ride making new friends and learning on the job.” But it was so successful, Riederer moved to the Kansas City metro and opened an Overland Park location in 1991.

“We’ve evolved into a family sports bar. A place to share drinks, share a meal,” Riederer said. “Top-quality food at a very fair price.”

The menu includes goat cheese dip, wings, salads, specialty burgers, sandwiches and wraps, tacos, pizzas, and entrees such as fish and chips, teriyaki stir fly and shrimp platters.

The Lenexa-based company now has a dozen Johnny’s Tavern locations — in Johnson County, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Parkville, the Power & Light District, Lawrence and Topeka. “Lucky 13th” is on the way in Raymore, which will be in a new building that they hope to finish by the end of the year, depending on any supply chain issues.

Each location has a managing partner on-site.

Renfro and Riederer are on the managing team along with Pat Roberts, Kyle Witherspoon, Sean Haydock and Nick McMillian.

Riederer said he is proud of his staff for “navigating the rough waters” of the pandemic and grateful to the community for its support.

“The crew we have together is just amazing and a lot of people have become partners,” he said. “We have supported the communities in every community we are in — donating to the schools, not just the high schools but the middle schools and grade schools and being involved — giving meals away to people in need during the pandemic.”

The association’s 2021 Company of the Year award will go to Heartland Payment Systems.

The awards will be presented at the association’s annual gala Saturday at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.