Franchisee abandons location after reported accidental flood.
Denver, Colorado-based Smashburger has closed its Sandy Springs location. The restaurant, located at 6080 Roswell Road, just north of Hammond Drive, closed about three weeks ago. According to an employee at another location (who used to work at the Sandy Springs restaurant) the owner decided it was not worth reopening the restaurant after a sprinkler malfunction caused flooding and damage inside.
The Sandy Springs location was the chain's fourth unit in the Atlanta market when it opened in late 2011. The restaurant occupied a building once home to Nothing But Noodles. A Moe's Southwest Grill that opened about the same time as Smashburger remains open in a separate building next door.
Smashburger locations on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, on Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw, on Medlock Bridge in Johns Creek, and on Piedmont Road in Buckhead remain open for now.
Atlanta area Smashburger restaurants were first developed and owned by Rising Star, Inc., a Smashburger franchisee. Rising Star and its CEO Phil Wilkins were originally franchisees of four McDonald's restaurants in Lexington, Kentucky, but sold them and relocated to metro Atlanta to become Smashburger franchisees. Rising Star reportedly once had "ownership rights" to 28 Smashburger restaurants in the Atlanta area, but it seems highly unlikely that number (already reduced from a corporate commitment of 50 units) will ever be realized.
A source close to Smashburger locally tells me that Wilkins subsequently sold his Smashburger holdings to Robert Wagner. According to Wilkins' Twitter page, his new passion is "Helping three sons fulfill their dreams of being college athletes."
Do you think other Smashburger locations in metro Atlanta will soon close? What is your favorite non-local burger chain? What would you like to see open in place of Smashburger in Sandy Springs?
Please share your thoughts below.
19 comments:
Perfect location for… Cookout! And they have a history of purchasing and rehabilitating distressed properties… cookout cookout cookout… Forget the five dollar combos. The jewel of their menu is the actual burger itself and the cheer wine.
Smash Burger has always been way too salty. I believe any true burger easiest enthusiast after tasting it once would never go back again… I'm predicting more closures for smash burger. On the other hand burger 21 in Buckhead is healthy and is awesome, you have to try their chicken burger.
Anonymous #2
Nice commercial for your business.
@Anon 1 - While I'm in favor of more Cookouts, I don't see it going there. I haven't been to this location in a while, but if my memory is correct the grade of the land would be tough for a drive through and the traffic caused by a Cookout would not be a good fit with the already insane Roswell Road.
Anon#3 get over yourself, I'm just a foodie
Aj- I am anon#1 and I agree with you on all points
Also, Cookout likes to own the property, not rent. Not sure if this parcel could be purchased or not.
I hope the insurance company doesn't look into the financials of this location. I smell something a little to fishy with this convenient "mishap"... Just saying!
The building isn't a loss it just had a flood, the insurance company is insignificant. Also why would anyone call this a "distressed" property? All the crappy distressed buildings have all been bulldozed or sold in the last 14 months in this stretch. There is so much development going on in this area its crazy. Some people think anything OTP is distressed I guess lol
I hope rents don't go up too much my favorite carwash in the entire city is located a few blocks away along with one of the only living Hardees lol
P.S. Cheeseburger Bobby's is much better down the street.
Hate to continue this war of the burger comments, but Cheeseburger Bobby's was one of the worst fast casual burgers I've had - the only thing worse was their soggy fries
Does anyone know if they are building a cookout near the big chicken? The property once had a Long john silver on it. Thanks
Does anyone know if they are building a cookout near the big chicken? I once was a long john silvers. Thanks
@Anon RE: former LJS,\
Sadly, that wont be A Cookout.
Thanks for your comments and readership.
I tried to like this location, but I just couldn't. The food was too salty, the portions too small for the price, the service rude and clueless, and the parking inconvenient.
Smashburger would do much better if they used our modular-built structures that are factory manufactured and delivered all completed and ready for utility hookups. The benefits of 90-day delivery, 7 yr vs 35 yr tax depreciation, buildings are relocatable and elimination of most construction hassles make the difference in success!
The same applies to other franchisees who quickly learn that "A Built out is NOT a Building," as my LinkedIn.com article clearly explains.
The timing sure sounds fishy to me too. I am guessing the insurance payout won;t be so quick. I never cared for this chain. Greasy overdone burgers. Fries were inconsistent. Service was slow and not done to order accurately. I preferred cheesburger bobbys because at least there, the service was excellent even if I feel like Bobbys doesn't have great tasting burgers. Their burgers are just OK - a little overdone and seasoned and dry. But it does have that fuddruckers concept and I like their fries.
Great idea!
The flood occurred on January 8, 2015, when freezing temperatures caused the sprinkler system pipes in the ceiling to freeze and burst. The restaurant was completely renovated (using the insurance proceeds) and was reopened on January 31, 2015. It remained open until October 12, 2015. There was nothing "fishy" about any of it. Your article is full of other inaccurate details. You could do a much better job of fact checking your blog - that way you wouldn't just be spreading inaccurate gossip.
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