In 1996, Jay McCann and Chris Brogdon hatched a new idea for a different restaurant concept: a neighborhood daytime breakfast and lunch featuring traditional house-made favorites, healthy choices, and creative menu options in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. This tall order was filled when the first J. Christopher s restaurant opened in Marietta, GA in January 1997. J. Christopher s has been expanding ever since, with 24 restaurants now in operation, satisfying millions of taste buds every day.