News

Smashburger adds more airport locations

April 25, 2013

Smashburger is adding three new franchise partnerships for airport locations in Dallas, Philadelphia and San Jose, Costa Rica, accelerating the company's growth in nontraditional locations.

Smashburger has partnered with the following franchisees for the new venues:

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: Roz Mallet of PhaseNext Hospitality will open a Smashburger location at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal B, in early 2014. Mallet is a current Smashburger franchisee with a restaurant location on Fort Bliss, in Texas, and is also a franchise owner for Buffalo Wild Wings and Corner Bakery Café.
• Philadelphia International Airport: Irfan Mandani of New York Ice Cream Inc. will open a location at Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal F, in summer 2013. Mandani is also a franchise owner for Peet's Coffee & Tea, Jamba Juice and Häagen-Dazs.
• Juan Santamaria International Airport: Richard Eisenberg of QSR International will open a new restaurant in the main terminal of Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, in spring 2013. Eisenberg is a current franchisee of Smashburger and is developing 18 units in Latin America. This restaurant will be the first international airport location for the brand. He is also a franchisee of the Quiznos, KFC, Cinnabon and Teriyaki Experience brands.

"Smashburger is a brand well positioned for travelers who are looking for a better burger option and menu variety while they are on the go. Today's travelers want speed and value but do not want to sacrifice on taste or quality. Smashburger fills that gap. We continue to explore opportunities to bring Smashburger's fast casual dining experience to airports, as well as food courts and college campuses across the U.S. and internationally," said Brett Willis, senior vice president of franchise sales for Smashburger.

Smashburger first debuted at an airport in 2011 with the opening of its Newark International Airport location in Terminal C, which is operated in partnership with local franchise owner Scott Gillman of Mascott Corporation. Since then, the brand has also partnered with HMSHost to make the restaurant's debut at Salt Lake City International Airport, Concourse D.

"We have found that our airport locations serve as a great introduction to the brand and our food for consumers who may not have a Smashburger yet in their home cities," said Dave Prokupek, chairman and CEO of Smashburger.

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