For sale: Bill Johnson’s restaurants

Looks like the next step for the struggling Bill Johnson’s Big Apple restaurants might be new ownership.

A Valley fixture for more than 50 years, Bill Johnson’s had been trying to reorganize through bankruptcy, but now has listed all five Valley restaurants for sale.

Bids will be accepted through June 8, with the winner selected June 18.

The first Bill Johnson’s opened in Phoenix in 1956 and quickly became popular for its BBQ and deep-dish apple pie.

Owner Bill Johnson broadcast a nightly live radio show from the restaurant, where diners included country music stars Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Buck Owens.