Smashburger reveals aggressive expansion plans

Grand Junction, Colo.

On Monday, privately held fast-food chain Smashburger opened its first franchise stores in Grand Junction, Colo., launching what the company said is a 40-unit expansion in 2009 via franchising, according to QSR Magazine.

The 14-unit chain has stores slated to open in Minnesota, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah and Idaho later this year, as well as more stores in Colorado, the report said.

The retailer said it plans to open about 200 franchise locations in the next few years, including a deal with multi-unit operator SB Alamo Development, LLC for 45 units in Texas and New Mexico. The first two stores in that deal will open in San Antonio, Texas, during the next few weeks.