By Brady Delander, METRO NORTH NEWSPAPERS
For Colorado-based Smashburger, there is no such thing as a basic hamburger.
The Denver-based restaurant chain opened a new location Saturday in Northglenn and is counting on its unique burger to keep hungry customers pouring through the front door.
“Coloradans have overwhelmingly welcomed Smashburger as a reprieve from ordinary burgers,” Smashburger President Scott Crane said. “Our goal is to be every city’s favorite burger place.”
Including the new Northglenn spot, 832 E. 120th Ave, Smashburger now has 17 locations nationwide, with 12 of those in Colorado. The “fast-casual” concept is funded in part by $15 million in private equity and the concept firm Consumer Capital Partners.
Thirty-six new jobs were created with the opening of the new store, and the company has provided about 1,000 jobs over the past two years. A location recently opened in Federal Heights, 104th Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
Smashburger has plans to opens hundreds of restaurants across the nation over the next few years, including 30-60 new locations this year. Stores are scheduled to open soon in Arvada, Westminster, Aurora and Lakewood, as well as some suburbs south of Denver.
“Smashburger gives diners an experience that’s more affordable than a sit-down meal but more special than a quick stop at the drive-through,” said Dave Prokupek, a managing partner and chairman for the company. “That’s a key reason Smashburger has been so successful in the current economy. We’ve created a concept that matches a quality experience with quality food.”
A line stretched out the door during a VIP grand opening Friday night, and it was crowded at the restaurant again on Monday afternoon.
Crane said the company has been looking at a location in Northglenn for more than a year.
“There’s not a lot of vacancy in Northglenn, so it was great for us to get in there,” he said, adding that the high volume of households and daytime traffic were the biggest draws to the area.
Smashburger’s named was derived from the company’s cooking method. One-third or half-pound balls of beef are “smashed” onto a flat grill to sear in the juices.
“The 10-second smash caramelizes the fat and forms a crust on the burger where you have to scrape it off the grill to flip it,” said Crane, adding that the crust is referred to as burger candy.
The menu also includes chicken sandwiches, dogs, fries, onion rings and vegetarian choices. Quick conversations with customers during the Tuesday lunch rush drew rave reviews for everything from taste to service.
“The onion rings are to die for,” said Nicholas Snapp of Thornton.
First-time visitor Toni Cortese of Northglenn also was impressed.
“The service is really good. They are attentive and make sure everything is clean,” she said.
Bianca Hernandez contributed.
Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters
