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May 25, 2012

The Dick Clark empire cannot be stopped

by Joel Keller, posted Jun 19th 2006 3:37PM

Dick Clark's AB GrillAs I was driving down the New Jersey Turnpike yesterday, I noticed that the signs for one of the rest areas (named after Jersey luminaries such as Vince Lombardi and Joyce Kilmer; this one was named for Molly Pitcher) had something different than the usual Burger Kings and Cinnabons on it: a sign for something called Dick Clark's AB Grill.

Wow. As if Mr. Clark didn't have enough money, he has decided to license his image and the American Bandstand name to a restaurant franchise. The web site for the AB Grill located in Kansas City describes the experience: "Guests can groove to their favorite top tunes from the '50's to today, watch music videos and American Bandstand clips, and peruse hundreds of pieces of memorabilia including pictures, gold records, and even Elvis' Hat and Bo Diddley's guitar." A look at the menu reminds me of the selections at the Hard Rock Cafe, only greasier.

So... I wonder what the AB Grill experience on the Turnpike is going to be like? Are people going to look up from their cheeseburgers to view Bruce Springsteen's jock strap? An Aqua Net can from Bon Jovi? Frankie Valli's bow tie? To be honest with you, when I'm in a Turnpike rest stop, all I'm concentrating on is leaving, so I'm not really sure how well this idea is going to work.

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Carl

I guess you haven't been to Vegas recently -- American Bandstand slot machines.

June 20 2006 at 12:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim

I've eaten in the AB Grill in the Phoenix airport. The food is better than most other places in the terminal but that's not saying much. If the same place was in the neighborhood near my house, it would be one of the last places I would choose to eat.

June 19 2006 at 8:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dvddesign

The AB grill that opened in the Dallas area has since closed due to lack of interest. I am suprised that he's still franchising these, as I'd figured they'd run their course.

It's Hard Rock Cafe for old people into soft rock. whee.

Seriously, this chain is about a decade too late. Celebrity theme restaurants are VERY early 90's. Dick, before you go opening another one of these. Go visit a Planet Hollywood and check out the crowds. You'll find them all over america. Every US location closed except for 5 of them. If Arnold, Sylvester, and Bruce couldn't keep them all open, how are you going to fare, especially, (and I'm being as forgiving as I can in saying this) that said celebrity is a stroke victim with less than 100% mobility?



June 19 2006 at 5:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

Todd's referring to the appearance of an AB Grill and Dick Clark himself in Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine". That's the very first thing I thought of when I saw the subject of the piece -- that woman riding on that bus for 2 hours, pre-dawn, so she can earn minimum wage and have someone else watch and raise her kids. And then Dick Clark slamming the van door on Moore when he was asked about it.

June 19 2006 at 4:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason

They opened one of these in Indy *years* ago (for reference, I watched Clinton appologize for the Lewinsky thing there)...and, well, nothing spectacular, as indicated by the fact it also closed in Indy *years* ago.

June 19 2006 at 4:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Todd Lokken

I've eaten at a Dick Clark's in Chicago, and it's really pretty bland. Not much taste to a simple cheeseburger.

Maybe another visit by Michael Moore will spice things up for Dick.

June 19 2006 at 4:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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