Operations

How 1 founder is building a better-burger brand from scratch

October 30, 2025

Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Billal Jaber, founder of SMASHED, a chef-driven burger concept navigating the challenges of startup life in the crowded fast casual burger space. Jaber shares his journey from trademark troubles to strategic market selection, explaining why he's targeting tier-two cities, building a prototype in a micro-market and prioritizing intentional growth over rapid expansion.

Learn about his philosophy of radical simplicity, the art of the perfect smash burger, cross-training strategies and why he's betting on quality and "cravability" to compete against burger giants like Shake Shack and Five Guys.