Smashburger is an American chain of fast casual burger restaurants that originated in Denver, Colorado. The name comes from the process used to cook burgers, which entails smashing a ball ground beef on a grill to "sear in the juices."

 

History

Smashburger was founded in 2007 by Tom Ryan, a veteran of fast food chains including Quiznos, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Long John Silver's. At McDonald's he introduced the company's thin crust pizza, McGriddles, and the McFlurry.

 

In 2009, Smashburger received a $15 million investment from Consumer Capital Partners to enable a major national expansion. The private equity firm’s chief investment officer, David Prokupek, became Smashburger’s chairman and chief executive officer. As of early 2011, Smashburger has 100 locations nationwide, with plans to double its store count by 2012.

 

Smashburger was originally named IconBurger. The name Smashburger was introduced when it was thought to better explain the process of how its burgers are cooked: they are smashed onto the grill using a metal plate.

 

Accolades

Smashburger describes its mission as "to be every city’s favorite place for burgers.” In Denver, the alternative-weekly Westword named it the best locally owned chain for 2008. Later that year, Denver Magazine named it “Most Likely to Succeed” and local ABC affiliate KMGH/Channel 7 touted it as the “best burger” on its “A List.”

 

In Minnesota, MPLS St. Paul magazine rated Smashburger the best “Thin Burger” (defined as “drive-in or better fast food”), with a score of 96/100.

 

In 2009, Nation’s Restaurant News, a leading restaurant-industry trade magazine, named Smashburger to its prestigious “Hot Concepts” list. In 2010, the Sin City Smashburger was named one of the top burgers of the year by Las Vegas Weekly.

 

Menu

Smashburger’s menu focuses primarily on burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and salads, with a wide variety of toppings and customization options. The restaurant serves localized burgers in each market based on regional flavors. Smashburger also offers a variety of sides, including sweet potato fries, fried onions, fried mild green chilies, fried pickles, and chili. Desserts include shakes, malts, and floats made with Haagen-Dazs ice cream.

 

Smashburger used to offer breakfast, but after realizing the market demand was not as high for breakfast, they took it off the menu. Smashburger's menu is customized for each state it is located in. For instance, The Colorado Burger is only available at Colorado locations. Sides and shakes are often customized as well.

 

The chain also serves alcohol, offering beer, wine, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade, in addition to assorted malt beverage floats and liqueur-blended shakes.