New operator plots no overhaul for Pops in Oklahoma City

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 15, 2008 by Kelley Chambers

Although the ownership group of several upscale Oklahoma City eateries has taken over operation of the restaurant at Pops, don't expect aged steaks and seven-layer dip on the menu anytime soon.

Keith Paul's company, A Good Egg Dining Group, last month took over the restaurant at Pops, an iconic soda-pop-themed restaurant, convenience store and gas station on Route 66 in Arcadia.

Paul's other restaurants - Cheever's Cafe, Red Prime Steak and Iron Starr Urban BBQ - cater to the gourmet, but Pops will continue to offer hamburgers, chicken fried steak and fried egg sandwiches.

Pops opened in August and was immediately crowded with tourists, Route 66 connoisseurs and many curious to check out the LED-lit, 66- foot pop bottle in front and sample hundreds of varieties of bottled soda.

The full-service restaurant was also a hit, frequently attracting 1,000 diners per day.

While the staff of 80 at Pops worked to ensure burgers were cooked, gas was pumped and souvenirs were sold, it became apparent that help might be needed to keep the restaurant running efficiently.

Through acquaintance with Aubrey McClendon, who owns Pops and is the CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., Paul and his group came on board.

"It's been pretty overwhelming," said Marty Doepke, general manager of Pops. "It's been nice to bring in their expertise."

There will be slight changes, like the addition of Patrick Munnerlyn, formerly the manager at Cheever's, as manager of the Pops restaurant, and some menu additions such as salads.

Doepke said there are no plans to tamper with several key menu items.

"Burgers are the biggest draw," he said. "The menu is still very similar; there are no drastic changes."

Paul said changes will complement the existing menu, while still focusing on the quality of the ingredients and pricing most meals under $10.

"We've streamlined the menu without sacrificing quality," he said.

Doepke said he does not know how many people have passed through Pops, but knows that it has sold about 700,000 bottles of soda pop so far.

"We've seen so many people come through here," he said. "It's exceeded any expectations we had."

Doepke said it was nice to have an operator who knows how to run a successful restaurant so that he can step back a little, take a deep breath and get ready for Pops' second year.

"It's like we got hit by a freight train over the last year and now we're just standing up and brushing off and taking a look at everything," he said.