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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Smashburger Franchise

Smashburger is an American fast-casual hamburger chain founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado and franchising since 2008. The brand is built around its signature “smashed” burgers, cooked on a flattop grill at high heat to sear in flavour, and sits in the premium “better burger” segment of the quick-service market. Since 2019 it has been wholly owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation, the publicly listed Philippine-based operator behind a global portfolio of restaurant brands.

The menu covers customizable beef, chicken, turkey and portobello burgers and sandwiches alongside fries, shakes and sides, with customer-facing programmes including the SmashRewards loyalty scheme. The network spans 200+ company- and franchise-operated restaurants across roughly 29 US states and several countries.

Smashburger is offered primarily through multi-unit development agreements, with single-unit franchises also available. Territories are non-exclusive and tied to approved restaurant locations, and the model calls for active management by the owner or a trained managing owner.

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Why buy a Smashburger Franchise?

Buying a Smashburger franchise offers entry into an established better-burger concept with a recognised name, a differentiated cooking method and the backing of Jollibee Foods Corporation, one of the world’s larger restaurant operators. That parent ownership brings supply-chain scale, menu development and brand investment that an independent burger operator would struggle to match.

The fast-casual burger category has proved resilient, and Smashburger’s premium positioning, customizable menu and loyalty and subscription programmes give franchisees multiple ways to drive repeat visits. The multi-unit development structure also suits operators looking to build a portfolio of restaurants within a defined area rather than a single site.

Smashburger Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2007

    • Franchising Since

      2008

    • New Startup Cost

      $1,239,500 – $2,255,500

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $15,000

    • Royalty Fee

      5.5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      2.25%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      194

    • New Units Opened *

      6

    • Units Transferred *

      3

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Smashburger – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Smashburger's initial training runs around six weeks, combining 264 hours of on-the-job training with 5 hours of classroom instruction, delivered at the franchisor's principal offices in Denver and on-site at the restaurant. Franchisees and their designated managers also attend an annual owners' meeting, and ongoing support covers operations guidance plus marketing through regional advertising, social media, SEO, email and the SmashRewards loyalty programme. Resale buyers should confirm what initial and transfer training is provided to incoming ownership, and which operating and loyalty systems carry over with the unit.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The model suits hands-on, operations-led owners comfortable running a fast-paced restaurant and managing a team of around 25 staff per location. Prior restaurant or multi-unit foodservice experience is valuable, as is a focus on service consistency, quality and local marketing. Because franchises are offered largely through multi-unit development agreements, the brand particularly fits operators planning to build and oversee several restaurants within a territory, whether running them directly or through trained managing owners and general managers.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Smashburger has built recognition as one of the better-known names in the fast-casual "better burger" segment and has appeared in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. Its consumer programmes, including the SmashRewards loyalty scheme and Smash Pass subscription, along with high-profile menu launches, have drawn industry attention, and its ownership by publicly listed Jollibee Foods Corporation lends additional credibility. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's reputation, including local reviews, repeat customers and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US restaurant industry is projected to reach roughly $1.5 trillion in sales in 2025, according to the National Restaurant Association, with fast-casual one of its faster-growing formats. Demand for higher-quality, customizable "better burger" offerings has driven sustained interest in the segment, supported by consumers trading up from traditional quick service. Burgers remain a core American menu staple with broad, repeat appeal, though the category is competitive. For resale buyers, local factors such as trade-area traffic, nearby competition and a unit's established customer base shape performance more than national figures.

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