Looney Bird's was a small short-lived restaurant chain that spun off of ShowBiz Pizza Place. It contained The Rock-afire Explosion and gave its focus on the character Looney Bird, which was the chain's mascot. Three locations existed before they closed down. The first location was a test location in Orlando, Florida with a New Rock-afire Explosion Stage, which opened in 1993[1]. The two other locations were located in Jackson, Tennessee and Covington, Louisiana, however, both of these locations had the Classic 3-Stage Rock-afire Explosion.
The concept behind Looney Bird's was to blend the nostalgic charm of The Rock-afire Explosion with a fresh dining experience centered around its new mascot, Looney Bird. The chain only had three locations.
The first Looney Bird's location was a test site that opened in Orlando, Florida, in 1993. This location was notable for introducing a New Rock-afire Explosion Stage. The Orlando site was envisioned as a prototype that could lead to a broader chain if successful. It aimed to modernize the entertainment experience by offering a more interactive and immersive show.
Following the Orlando test site, two additional Looney Bird's locations were launched in Jackson, Tennessee, and Covington, Louisiana. Unlike the Orlando location, these two sites featured the Classic 3-Stage Rock-afire Explosion.
Each of these locations incorporated elements of the original ShowBiz concept while also trying to establish a unique identity centered around Looney Bird. The restaurants featured not just animatronic shows but also themed decor, menu items, and merchandise.
The chain struggled to gain a sustainable foothold in the market. Several factors contributed to the chain's eventual closure. These included the high costs associated with maintaining and updating the animatronic technology, challenges in differentiating the brand from its predecessor, and the shifting landscape of family entertainment, which saw the rise of new competitors and changing consumer preferences.
By the mid-1990s, all three Looney Bird's locations had closed down.
In the years since its closure, the Looney Bird's brand has gained a cult following among enthusiasts of retro dining and animatronic shows. Collectors have sought out memorabilia and stories from the Looney Bird's era.