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Smashburger expands Sachi Foods franchise dealSmashburger expands Sachi Foods franchise deal

Fast-casual brand adds Salt Lake City, Utah-area restaurants to group’s holdings

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 15, 2024

1 Min Read
smashburger sachi food deal Salt Lake City Utah
Smashburger expands its franchise deal with Sachi Foods LLC, adding two restaurants in the Salt Lake City, Utah-area to its portfolio.

Smashburger, the fast-casual restaurant chain, has expanded its deal with existing franchisee Sachi Foods LLC to add two Salt Lake City, Utah-area restaurants to its portfolio, the company said Monday.

The Denver-based company said the agreement expands Sachi’s holding to 15 Smashburger restaurants in the United States as well as Costa Rica.

Sachi was formed in 2021 by Farhana Ali.

Denise Nelsen, who was named in March as Smashburger CEO, said in a statement: “Farhana’s passion for our brand, and deep understanding of the restaurant industry, has made her the perfect partner, and we look forward to seeing her achieve great success at her new locations in Salt Lake City.”

Ali’s portfolio spans 45 restaurants, including three Smashburger locations in Missouri, six in Minnesota, four in Costa Rica, and two in the Salt Lake City area. She also has Church’s Texas Chicken restaurants in Kansas City, Mo, and Kansas City, Kan.

Smashburger, founded in 2007, has 235 locations in 34 states and seven other countries.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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