Celebratin’ 33 Years of Pleasin’ People!

While 2024 brings Richie's a 33rd Anniversary, our tradition of pleasin' people with good country cookin' has even earlier beginnings. It was over a half century ago when founders Jack and Linda Williams got hitched and began their lifetime dedication to the food industry. Along the way, they helped develop the concept for a well-known steakhouse chain and built 38 restaurants in two decades, becoming their largest and most successful franchisee.

Growing up among local ranches and farms of West Texas and New Mexico, Jack's standards were set high with the freshest, highest quality meats and produce. And the backyard BBQ was not just a grill, it was a school - where Jack perfected the wood-smoked flavors that are now a signature of the Richie's menu. Alabama-raised Linda was brimmin' with recipes for homestyle meals and desserts, and longed to serve 'em up with that famous Southern hospitality. Together, they dreamed up the "Real American Diner" concept: old-fashioned country cookin', using only the best ingredients, served by a friendly, courteous staff devoted to "pleasin' people."

The dream became reality in 1991 with the first Richie's Diner established in Temecula, California. The restaurant became a community favorite and neighboring Murrieta soon demanded a Richie's of their own. Concerned that franchising would compromise the unique quality, personality and service which gave the Diner its special appeal, Richie's Diner remains a privately held, family-run business. The tradition continued with the 2007 opening of the Victoria Gardens (Rancho Cucamonga) location by their daughter and son-in-law Sally and Gary Myers, seasoned people pleasers themselves, with 40 years of experience as restaurateurs. More locations are in the works, but expansion will be carefully planned to assure that every guest will enjoy Richie's famous old-fashioned hospitality and the freshest, highest quality breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts!

Jack and Linda's philosophy is simple - "Pleasin' People."

 The In and Out of the Richie’s Name

The "Richie" of Richie's Real American Diner is named after a real person, Rich Snyder. Rich began working in his family's In-N-Out Burger restaurants at an early age and became President and CEO of the company when he was only 24.

He was also a close, personal friend of Jack and Linda, and they admired the high standards he maintained in every one of his restaurants. As a tribute to the accomplishment and excellence Rich contributed to the restaurant industry, Jack and Linda named Richie's Real American Diner in his honor.