News

Smashburger celebrates five-year anniversary

June 27, 2012

Smashburger is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its first restaurant opening in Denver in December 2007. The company also announced the addition of six new franchise partners, totaling a combined commitment for 44 new franchise units across the country. These most recent franchise agreements bring Smashburger’s total franchise pipeline to 507 locations, which are expected to open over the course of the next several years.

"Today’s five year anniversary marks a significant milestone and accomplishment for Smashburger, demonstrating the consumer demand for our brand," said Dave Prokupek, chairman and CEO of Smashburger. "We still have plenty of room to grow in the U.S. and have just started capitalizing on the opportunity to expand internationally."

Each of Smashburger’s six new franchise partners possesses deep restaurant operations and management experience. The partnerships and markets include:

Salt Lake City Airport – Smashburger has partnered with HMSHost to open a new restaurant at Salt Lake City Airport in July 2012.
Wilmington, Del. – Smashburger has partnered with John Laursen of Sizzle DE, LLC to open four new restaurants over the next several years.
Columbia, S.C. – Smashburger has partnered with Steven Taylor of CSC Seven to open three new restaurants over the next several years. Taylor also is a Moe’s Southwest Grill franchisee.
Staten Island, N.Y. and Southern New Jersey – Smashburger has partnered with Anthony Pellizzi of MultiBrands SB Inc. to open eight new restaurants. Pellizzi also is a franchise owner of Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins and Pollo Campero.
Boston– Smashburger has partnered with Robert Savin of Savin Burgers to open 12 new restaurants over the next several years.
Philadelphia– Smashburger has partnered with a group lead by Dan O’Shaughnessy of SB Philly LLC to open 17 new restaurants over the next several years.

Smashburger is on track to open 60 new restaurants in 2012, putting its year-end target at more than 200 units. Its restaurants are currently half company-owned and half franchised. International expansion also will continue to be an important part of Smashburger’s strategy for continued growth.

Read more about restaurant franchising and growth.