DALLAS Rosalyn Mallet and Amy O’Neil, both former Caribou Coffee executives, are partnering with Smashburger to open outposts of the brand in seven airports over the next year, the chain said Tuesday.
Mallet and O'Neil's company, PhaseNext Hospitality, plans to open its first Smashburger units in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental and Washington Ronald Reagan National. The agreement also includes other non-traditional venues such as train stations, military bases and university campuses, Smashburger said.
Scott Crane, president of Smashburger, said the chain’s growth in traditional locations has been “impressive.” Smashburger currently has more than 30 units in operation, and the company has said that it plans to open more than 200 units over the next five years.
“We are pleased to partner with PhaseNext Hospitality and anticipate Smashburger’s continued success in non-traditional expansion,” Crane said.
Mallet, who serves as chief executive and president of Dallas-based PhaseNext, is treasurer of the National Restaurant Association. She most recently was president and interim chief executive of Caribou Coffee and has worked with La Madeleine Bakery and Cafe, Carlson Cos. and T.G.I. Friday’s
O’Neil most recently was senior vice president of operations for Caribou Coffee.
Smashburger was developed and funded with $15 million from private-equity and concept development firm Consumer Capital Partners.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].