Smash Burgers is opening its third location soon in Tallahassee on West Tennessee Street in the location of the former Gate gas station.
A booming burger franchise known for its "smashed to order" technique is blazing a trail to Tallahassee. The first Smashburger opened in late march 2015 at the village Commons, located Thomasville Road near Fresh Market. The second Smashburger opened late August 2015 in Magnolia Grove plaza next to the recently opened Starbucks.
According to Smashburger's site, the company was ranked No. 2 on Franchise Times "2014 Fast & Serious" list of smartest-growing brands and being named "America's Most Promising Company" by Forbes Magazine in 2011 and to the Top 10 in 2014, topping Fast Casual's "Top Mover & Shakers" list for 2014 and 2012, and being featured on the Inc. 500 List of "America's Fastest Growing Companies."
According to Smashburgers, “Our mission is to put burgers back into people‘s lives. We want to change the way people think about burgers and the way they feel when they have a burger.” Manager at local location in Magnolia Grove plaza, Jason Wells, explains their vision for the company with their customer.
He simply explained our vision is to connect with America’s passion for their favorite food on a local level serving them fresh and delicious food, which means dedicating into crafting the best burgers you could only imagine,” said Wells.
The company was founded in Denver, Colorado in 2007. By Tom Ryan, Rick Schaden and the private equity firm, Consumer Capital Partners
Smashburgers also is kid-friendly, serving up a menu just for the kids as well. Speaking with Sharon Sosa, a daycare owner at Kiddo child learning in Tallahassee explained how she loved Smashburgers.
She said how it is rare to find a burger joint that cater to the old just as the young. She also confessed now her family has somewhere to eat at and everyone will be happy.
“Every Saturday me and my family eat out. Now my kids top choice to eat is always Smashburgers,” Sosa said.
“The difference is in the smashing, we do a process that seals in all of the juices and flavors," said local franchise owner David Walker. “It will sell burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and signature sides, along with Häagen-Dazs milkshakes and local craft beers.”
Local students in the FSU are raving about the new soon opening location for smashburgers on West Tennessee Sreet.
Courtland Brunson, second-year fashion and merchandising student at FSU; spoke about how he is excited for what the city of Tallahassee is doing on Tennessee Street. He said now West Tennessee Street has become engulfed with different places to eat.
“I am looking forward to Smashburgers. There can never be to many burger joints. Especially Smashburgers,” said Brunson. He also said they are really making Tennessee street very appealing.