Smashburger

Smashburger is an American fast-casual hamburger restaurant chain founded in Denver, Colorado, in 2007 by restaurant-industry veterans Rick Schaden and Tom Ryan, with backing from private-equity firm Consumer Capital Partners. The concept emerged during the growth of the “better burger” segment, which positioned freshly prepared, customizable hamburgers above conventional quick-service fare. Its name refers to the cooking method: a portion of beef is pressed onto a hot flat-top grill, producing a browned, seared exterior while allowing the restaurant to assemble the sandwich with a broad range of toppings and sauces. The founders developed the brand by acquiring a Denver restaurant and spending months testing beef, equipment, kitchen layout, service flow, and menu design. They selected chopped Angus beef and built a standardized kitchen centered on a griddle and a specialized pressing process. This operational design was intended to make the food distinctive while keeping preparation sufficiently repeatable for rapid franchising. The first Smashburger opened in Denver in June 2007, followed by expansion into markets including Houston and Minneapolis. The business grew quickly through a combination of company-operated restaurants, franchises, airport and campus concessions, casino locations, and international development agreements. The menu has generally centered on hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, black-bean and portobello options, salads, fries, sweet-potato fries, fried pickles, milkshakes, and other sides. Smash Fries, seasoned with rosemary and olive oil, became one of the brand’s recognizable side offerings. Locations have sometimes adapted menus to local markets, and the chain has promoted customization, fresh ingredients, and a neighborhood-specific identity through restaurant design and menu variations. Its restaurants commonly use counter ordering, open preparation areas, red branding, locally themed imagery, mixed seating, and music intended to create a more contemporary dine-in experience than a traditional fast-food outlet. Smashburger expanded to hundreds of restaurants during the early and mid-2010s, but its growth later moderated as the broader better-burger sector became more competitive and consumers shifted away from some traditional retail-center locations. Management responded by concentrating on existing markets, renegotiating leases, purchasing some franchised restaurants, and emphasizing operational and leadership development. The company also tested loyalty and promotional programs, including the Smash Pass subscription platform, and added digital-payment capabilities. Jollibee Foods Corporation acquired a 40 percent stake in Smashburger in 2015, followed by an increase to 85 percent in 2018 and full ownership later that year. The acquisition gave Smashburger access to a large international restaurant group and was presented as a basis for longer-term expansion, including in Southeast Asia. Smashburger remains a Jollibee-owned restaurant brand with operations primarily in the United States and a presence in Canada. Its core identity continues to rest on made-to-order smashed burgers, fast-casual positioning, and menu customization.

Smashburger was created in Denver in 2007 by Rick Schaden and Tom Ryan, with investment from Consumer Capital Partners. Schaden had experience as an owner of Quiznos, while Ryan had worked on major restaurant concepts and held advanced academic training in flavor and fragrance technology and lipid toxicology. The founders sought to create a scalable restaurant that combined the speed of quick service with the perceived quality and customization of a higher-end hamburger restaurant. To refine the concept, they acquired a Denver restaurant and tested beef varieties, preparation methods, kitchen equipment, service procedures, and restaurant layouts. After evaluating numerous beef samples, they chose chopped Angus beef. The resulting process used portions of beef placed on a high-temperature flat-top grill and pressed with a specialized tool. The technique created a seared surface and became the central culinary feature of the brand. The kitchen was organized around the griddle, with refrigerated meat storage positioned to reduce unnecessary movement and help employees maintain a consistent production rhythm. The first Smashburger opened in Denver in June 2007. Expansion followed into Houston and Minneapolis, markets selected partly because the founding team understood their real-estate and operating environments. From the beginning, the chain emphasized menu flexibility, fresh preparation, local visual identity, and a restaurant atmosphere intended to distinguish it from standard fast food. Early branding used the “Smash, sizzle, savor” theme, later followed by “Smashed Fresh. Served Delicious.” The company initially relied heavily on social media and later added television and radio advertising. Smashburger expanded rapidly through company restaurants and franchising. It developed locations near colleges, in airports, casinos, and other high-traffic venues, sometimes through concession operators. By the early and mid-2010s it had reached several hundred restaurants and operated or franchised sites in multiple countries. The chain’s growth coincided with a broader rise in better-burger concepts, including Shake Shack and Five Guys. The segment attracted consumers seeking fresh ingredients and personalization, although its higher prices and smaller scale limited its share of the overall hamburger market. The company considered the possibility of an initial public offering during its growth phase and obtained additional debt financing to support expansion. Instead, Jollibee Foods Corporation purchased 40 percent of Smashburger in 2015. After a period of operational pressure, including slower same-store sales, changing retail-center traffic, and intensified competition from larger chains, Smashburger narrowed its expansion approach. It focused more heavily on existing markets, worked on lease economics, bought back selected franchise restaurants, and introduced internal leadership-development initiatives. The company also pursued customer-frequency initiatives. It launched Smash Pass, a subscription-based rewards platform, added Apple Pay, and tested aggressive promotional offers. Menu development included turkey burgers, tater tots, and other additions. Some experiments, including breakfast at many ordinary locations, proved difficult to justify economically and were reduced or limited to specialized venues such as casinos. Jollibee increased its stake to 85 percent in 2018 and acquired the remaining interest later that year. Under Jollibee ownership, Smashburger became part of a multinational restaurant portfolio while retaining its American smashed-burger identity. Reference material reports that, in 2022, the chain had more than 227 corporate and franchised restaurants across 35 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces. The brand’s continuing proposition is based on made-to-order burgers, a recognizable cooking method, customizable toppings, and fast-casual restaurant environments.

• 2022

  The chain reports a presence across North America

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  Reference material describes more than 227 corporate and franchised restaurants across 35 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces.

• 2018

  Jollibee becomes the sole owner

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  Jollibee first raised its stake to 85 percent and later completed the acquisition of the remaining Smashburger ownership.

• 2016

  Expansion strategy is moderated

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  After leadership changes and slower comparable-store performance, Smashburger emphasized existing markets, selected company ownership, and internal management development.

• 2015

  Jollibee acquires a minority stake

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  Jollibee Foods Corporation purchased 40 percent of Smashburger in a transaction reported at an enterprise value of $335 million.

• 2013

  Smashburger reaches 170 locations

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  The chain continued its domestic and international expansion and was discussed as a possible IPO candidate.

• 2011

  The chain reaches 143 locations

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  Smashburger reported rapid expansion and shifted its principal marketing message to “Smashed Fresh. Served Delicious.”

• 2007

  Smashburger is founded in Denver

  [1]Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org

  Rick Schaden and Tom Ryan established Smashburger with Consumer Capital Partners backing and opened the first restaurant in Denver in June.

Fast-casual and better-burger dining focused on fresh, made-to-order food, customizable toppings, a signature flat-top smashing technique, and a more designed dine-in experience than conventional fast food.

• Hamburgers · 2007

  Smashburger hamburgers

  The core product uses chopped Angus beef formed and pressed directly on a high-temperature flat-top grill. The resulting patty is seared and served with customizable toppings, sauces, and bun options. The menu has included both signature combinations and locally adapted burgers.

• Side dish

  Smash Fries

  A signature side of French fries seasoned with rosemary and olive oil. Smash Fries are intended to reinforce the brand’s differentiated flavor profile and are commonly paired with its burgers.

• Sandwiches

  Chicken and turkey sandwiches

  The menu extends beyond beef with chicken and turkey sandwiches, giving customers alternatives to the chain’s main burger platform. Turkey was added during the brand’s post-acquisition menu development period.

• Vegetarian sandwiches

  Black-bean and portobello sandwiches

  Vegetarian-oriented sandwich options have included black-bean and portobello preparations, broadening the menu beyond meat-based burgers while retaining the same fast-casual service format.

• Dessert beverage

  Milkshakes

  Milkshakes made with Häagen-Dazs ice cream have been a principal dessert offering. Flavors and availability may vary by location and menu period.

• Triple Double naming and advertising litigation

  Smashburger faced litigation connected with its Triple Double menu item. The reference describes a claim by In-N-Out Burger concerning intellectual-property rights and a separate class-action lawsuit alleging false advertising.

  Source

Read more

• 2015Smash Pass and promotional burger offers

  United States

  Following the Jollibee investment, Smashburger introduced a subscription-style rewards platform and promotional passes designed to increase visit frequency and customer loyalty.

  Outcome. Expanded the brand’s loyalty and price-promotion activity.

  Source
• 2011Smashed Fresh. Served Delicious.

  United States

  Smashburger updated its central marketing message to emphasize freshness and the made-to-order character of its food.

  Outcome. Repositioned the brand around product freshness and preparation.

  Source
• 2007Smash, sizzle, savor

  United States

  The brand’s early marketing platform linked its name to the sensory experience of pressing, searing, and eating a freshly prepared burger.

  Outcome. Established the initial identity of the chain.

  Source

• 2018

  Move to full Jollibee ownershipM&A

  Background

  Jollibee sought greater control of the brand and cited opportunities for further international expansion.

  Action taken

  Jollibee increased its stake to 85 percent and subsequently acquired the remaining shares.

  Aftermath

  Smashburger became a wholly owned Jollibee Foods Corporation subsidiary.

  Purchase price for remaining interest. $10 million (December 2018 transaction)

  Source

• 2016

  Concentrate expansion on existing marketsStrategy

  Background

  The chain encountered slower same-store performance, changing shopping patterns, and stronger competition from larger restaurant companies and other better-burger concepts.

  Action taken

  Smashburger reduced the emphasis on broad expansion, focused on established markets, bought back selected franchised restaurants, and developed internal leadership programs.

  Aftermath

  The company continued operating as a smaller, more selectively expanded fast-casual chain.

  Source

• 2015

  Accept Jollibee minority investment instead of pursuing an immediate IPOM&A

  Background

  Smashburger had been viewed as a potential IPO candidate, but management selected a strategic investment from Jollibee Foods Corporation as a more stable route for long-term growth.

  Action taken

  Jollibee acquired 40 percent of the company.

  Aftermath

  The investment was followed by additional marketing, lease work, loyalty initiatives, and eventual increases in Jollibee’s ownership.

  Transaction enterprise value. $335 million (2015 transaction)

  Source

1. 1Smashburger (restaurant chain)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Smashburger official websitesmashburger.com