Burnt End BBQ and other Johnson County restaurants close

Several notable Johnson County restaurants said goodbye this year, and their reasons vary. Burnt End BBQ and Jose Pepper’s closed locations after a decade but also opened new spots in De Soto and Lenexa. Meanwhile, The Rockhill Grille in Leawood quietly shuttered after just two years, and Lion’s Choice scaled back its Kansas City presence significantly.

Fast-food favorites like Sonic Drive-In near Oak Park Mall and Jack in the Box in Olathe also shut their doors, citing changing market conditions and underperformance.

Lion’s Choice is known for its 100 percent lean beef slow-roasted daily. It also has roasted turkey breast and hickory smoked ham.

NO. 1: THIS FAST-FOOD CHAIN WILL CLOSE ALL BUT ONE KC AREA LOCATION, BUT REMAINS ‘OPTIMISTIC’

This restaurant chain had previously left the KC market, but it came back in 2018. | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

NO. 2: BARBECUE RESTAURANT CLOSES JOHNSON COUNTY LOCATION AFTER 10 YEARS. ALL IS NOT LOST

This restaurant is known for its brisket and burnt ends sandwich, smoked ribs and barbecue bowls. | Published July 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Rockhille Grille serves veggie burgers, salmon, steaks and other menu items.

NO. 3: TWO YEARS AFTER OPENING, UPSCALE JOHNSON COUNTY RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED. IS IT FOR GOOD?

Around this time in 2022, the restaurant was celebrating its second location. Now, it’s closed. | Published September 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Cactus Grill Tex-Mex & Tequila, serving guacamole, margaritas and more, is opening another location in Johnson County.

NO. 4: JOHNSON COUNTY MEXICAN RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE AFTER 10 YEARS. BUT ANOTHER IS OPENING

“We’re sad to see it go,” a spokesperson said. | Published November 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The rooftop bar at Boho Sway provided a panoramic view of midtown. By Roy Inman

NO. 5: 60+ BARS AND RESTAURANTS CLOSED IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA IN 2024. SEE WHERE AND WHY

What restaurant are you going to miss most? | Published December 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Creamy Steak Enchilada at Jose Pepper’s. The local chain has closed its location at Legends Outlets. By Jose Pepper's FB

NO. 6: KANSAS CITY AREA MEXICAN RESTAURANT CHAIN HAS CLOSED THIS LOCATION AFTER 10 YEARS

Nine locations of the chain remain in the area. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Double Jack at Jack in the Box will be coming to a menu near you in Lexington and Louisville. The burger chain is expanding into Kentucky.

NO. 7: THIS NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAIN CLOSES MULTIPLE KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATIONS. HERE’S WHERE

Five of the chain’s restaurants remain open. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

NO. 8: NATIONAL TEX-MEX CHAIN HAS CLOSED ITS LAST KANSAS CITY AREA RESTAURANT AFTER DECADES

The Johnson County location had been there for 25 years, but the brand entered KC in the mid-1990s. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A mixed plate of barbecue at J’s BBQ in Olathe on Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2025. The location recently switched ownership after the departure of longtime favorite, Johnny’s, closed up shop. The owner, Josh Deal, claims to have “the best burnt ends in Kansas City.” By Dominick Williams

NO. 9: JOHNSON COUNTY BBQ RESTAURANT CLOSES, ANOTHER REPLACES IT. ‘THE BEST BURNT ENDS IN KC’

The KC institution is gone after almost 50 years. But don’t fear BBQ fans, something else is here. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

D’Bronx has closed its last location. It’s unclear whether it will reopen. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 10: LONGTIME KANSAS CITY PIZZA SHOP HAS CLOSED ITS LAST RESTAURANT. IS IT GONE FOR GOOD?

The restaurant, which has been around KC for 35 years, appears to be permanently closed. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Pokeloha is opening another location. Sushi will be on the menu.

NO. 11: FORMER JOHNSON COUNTY BBQ SPOT TO BECOME SUSHI, POKE, RAMEN RESTAURANT

The new spot will be different than its other metro locations. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The new Sonic Drive-In “Crave” burger has a special sauce. All Sonic burgers now come with fresh pickles.

NO. 12: FAST-FOOD CHAIN CLOSES JOHNSON COUNTY LOCATION AFTER OVER A DECADE

The popular chain’s sign was partially removed Friday, and cones blocked the entrance. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.