Client News
February 17, 2012 | 
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Growth drives sales at Smashburger
Better-burger segment player Smashburger Wednesday said it grew its restaurant base by 55 percent and entered 12 new markets in 2011 to end the year with 143 locations.
The Denver-based chain, which is owned by Consumer Capital Partners, said its 51 new restaurants and a 3-percent increase in same-store sales at existing locations pushed annual systemwide sales to $115.7 million.
“In 2012, our growth plan is to add 50 to 70 new restaurants in new and existing markets, including 15 to 20 new corporate stores, and capitalize on the momentum we have gained over the past four years,” Dave Prokupek, Smashburger chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.
The chain’s ability to grow in a “challenging consumer environment” was a “testament to the quality of our food, the strength of our brand and the loyalty of our guests,” Prokupek said.
Compared with larger better-burger rivals like Five Guys and In-N-Out, Smashburger features a broader menu that in addition to its signature Angus beef burgers includes chicken sandwiches, black bean veggie burgers, salads and sweet potato fries.
It also is known for offering regional specialty products and local beer varieties along with premium ice cream shakes and soft drinks.
Smashburger has grown more slowly than Five Guys, which has rocketed to more than 900 units in recent years. But Prokupek said his chain “sees continued growth opportunity in the ‘better burger’ marketplace as consumers continue to seek great tasting food that is available fast and at a competitive price point.”
The mostly franchised chain announced its first international expansion program in 2011, with units expected to open in the Middle East, Canada and Latin America in 2012.
It said it is looking for franchisees to help fill out markets where it has company operations, including Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, as well as enter new markets such as San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C., Western Europe, South America and Asia.
Rioja elected to Fine Dining Hall of Fame
Nation’s Restaurant News inducts Denver restaurant Rioja into its Fine Dining Hall of Fame for 2011.
2011 Best of Aurora Award-Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, which has locations in Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, was selected for the 2011 Best of Aurora Award in the restaurants category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.
Boulder restaurant Colorado’s only winner
Visitors to OpenTable Inc. .OpenTable Inc. Latest from The Business Journals Four Twin Cities restaurants named best for OpenTable ‘foodies’Reservation Genie taps Foursquare to bolster market shareAbattoir among top restaurants for foodies Follow this company .’s website picked the top 50 restaurants nationwide for “foodies” and found only one in Colorado worthy of inclusion.
Frasca Food and Wine .Frasca Food and Wine Latest from The Business Journals Follow this company ., 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, was Colorado’s sole winner of the company’s Diners’ Choice Awards.
The winners were culled from 10 million reviews of about 12,000 restaurants posted on opentable.com. Click here to read what OpenTable reviewers had to say about Frasca Food and Wine. San Francisco-based OpenTable (Nasdaq: OPEN) collected the reviews between September 2010 and August 2011 to determine the winners.
Frasca Food and Wine…
- Frasca is the creation of Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson. Their shared passion for Friuli-Venezia Giulian cuisine and fine wine is reflected in the exquisitely-prepared fare and a comprehensive wine list boasting over 200 varieties. The seasoned and professional staff ensures a memorable evening with their meticulous attention to detail, expert wine pairing, and extensive knowledge of the menu. And the pastoral, elegant dining room evokes the gracious and friendly feeling of traditional Italian Frascas. Warm, welcoming, and unpretentious, Frasca is the perfect destination for impromptu gatherings, casual dinners, and special occasions.
- Dining Style: Casual Elegant
- Cuisine: Italian
- Neighborhood: Boulder
- Menu: View menu on restaurant’s website
- Price: $31 to $50
- Website: http://www.frascafoodandwine.com
- Email: info@frascafoodandwine.com
- Phone: (303) 442-6966
- Hours of Operation: Dinner: Tuesday – Saturday: 5:30pm – 10:00pm
- Executive Chef: Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
- Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
- Parking: Private Lot
- Parking Details: Street parking also available in the area.
James Pachorek was inducted into the Knighthood of the Brewers Mash Staff
A BECPOS Client recieves award!
Denver small business owner James Pachorek was inducted into the Knighthood of the Brewers Mash Staff during a ceremony in Brussels, Belgium. He and his wife Tina own the three Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafes and the Royal Hilltop Tap Room in the Denver metro area. The Belgian brewers’ guild bestows the title on retailers, restaurateurs and importers who spread the word about Belgium’s breweries. Pachorek and his wife have worked for four years to bring the hard-to-get Belgium beers to Colorado.