Contrary to popular belief, JJ's Restaurant is not named for popular owner Jimmy Frantzé. In 1985, Jimmy purchased JJ Malane's from his former business partner and the saloon's namesake. Malane's went away, but JJ's remained, and a West Plaza fine dining icon was born. Jimmy invested his enthusiasm and passion for exceptional contemporary American food, steaks and wine to build one of the finest restaurants in Kansas City just a block west of the Country Club Plaza. He helped create an environment that attracted and kept one of the most professional staffs in the region. He inspires so much loyalty that when the new JJ's reopened 18 months after a 2013 fateful fire, almost all of his staff re-joined him.