Franchising
Crack Shack soaring to 10 units
July 12, 2023
Southern California-based The Crack Shack is opening its 10th location Thursday. The store is in Murray, Utah. The fast casual brand originally started as a passion project to transform ingredients from the founding team's fine-dining restaurant in Southern California, Juniper and Ivy, into a more accessible setting.
"We're eight years in, and 10 stores strong," Dan Peña, director of operations, said in a company press release. "It's been incredible to see the beloved brand we built in California find new loyal followings as we've brought it to new markets," he said. "Customers have fallen in love with our unique menu, fresh ingredients, and addicting flavors, and we're excited to keep growing and bringing new people into The Crack Shack family."
Culinary Director Jon Sloan is behind the Baja-inspired fried chicken that combines non-GMO birds and a proprietary "Crack Spice" blend from Le Sanctuaire. While bone-in fried chicken is the brand's signature, the menu features chef-driven fried chicken sandwiches, chicken tender combo meals, bowls for the healthy-ish at heart, and a Lil' Cluckers menu for kids.
In 2020, Savory Fund, a private equity firm focused on scaling emerging restaurant concepts, invested in The Crack Shack with plans to expand the brand and has taken it from four stores to 10 with plans for an additional 10 locations over the next year.
"When we invested in The Crack Shack three years ago, we knew it was a concept that could become beloved coast to coast," Andrew K. Smith, managing partner and co-founder of Savory Fund, said in the release. "Not only is it the best chicken sandwich you'll ever have (get the Coop Deville tossed with Sweet Heat and thank me later), it's also a dining experience you'll want to have again and again."
Savory Fund has invested in Swig, R&R BBQ, Pincho, Via 313 Pizzeria, The Crack Shack, Mo' Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, 86 Repairs, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen and The Sicilian Butcher.
