New Smashburger CEO wants to take brand into new eraNew Smashburger CEO wants to take brand into new era

Michael Nolan isn’t a revolutionary. The longtime industry veteran, who was elevated from chief development officer to president and CEO of Smashburger on Wednesday, doesn’t see the need for immediate, major changes at the 365-unit better-burger chain.

“I am a committed evolutionist, versus a revolutionist,” Nolan told Nation’s Restaurant News. “There’s no need for radical, drastic change at Smashburger. And it doesn’t fit my management style.”

But he does see a need for the Denver-based brand to evolve and move into the next level of growth.

Smashburger has grown rapidly since its founding in 2007, and is currently one of the largest concepts in the still-burgeoning better-burger segment. The chain’s systemwide sales grew by at least 19 pe...