Why is Jacksonville ideal for multi-unit franchise territory development?

Duval County's expansive geography divides naturally into Southside/Town Center, Beaches/Intracoastal, Mandarin/Bartram, Riverside/Urban Core, Westside/NAS and Northside — allowing a single operator to build multiple non-competing stores.

Does Nash & Smashed require prior restaurant experience in Jacksonville?

No prior restaurant ownership is required. Every franchisee completes 40 hours of classroom and hands-on restaurant training supported by 12 corporate commitments.

What makes Nash & Smashed different from other fast-casual concepts?

Nash & Smashed stands out from other fast-casual concepts by seamlessly combining Nashville-Style Sandwiches, Fried Chicken, and Smashed Burgers in a unique, customizable menu format. The commitment to using high-quality ingredients sets the brand apart, ensuring exceptional quality in every dish. Additionally, the array of signature sauces enhances the flavor experience, allowing guests to tailor their meals to suit individual tastes. A strong focus on community engagement further distinguishes Nash & Smashed, as it actively supports local initiatives and fosters connections within the neighborhoods it serves.

What is the typical timeline from signing to opening a location?

The average timeline from signing a franchise agreement to the opening day is around 6-9 months. However, it's important to note that this process can take up to 6-8 months after site selection due to factors such as lease negotiations, permitting, construction, and training schedules.

Do I need restaurant experience to be a franchise owner?

While restaurant experience is beneficial, it's not required. We're looking for passionate entrepreneurs with strong business acumen, leadership skills, and dedication to customer service. Our comprehensive training program will teach you all aspects of operating a Nash & Smashed restaurant.

What store formats and space requirements does Nash & Smashed offer?

Franchise partners can apply for three distinct operating formats: a Full Restaurant, an Express Unit, or a Food Truck. Full inline and endcap restaurant locations require a minimum footprint of 1,600 square feet, while Express Units are engineered for compact urban storefronts, college corridors, and high-foot-traffic retail centers.

What training and corporate support do franchise owners receive?

Every franchise owner completes 40 hours of structured training — 6 hours in the classroom and 34 hours on the job — covering kitchen execution, inventory systems, staffing, and day-to-day leadership. Beyond initial training, our corporate team delivers 12 pre-opening and post-opening support commitments spanning site selection, architectural layout, vendor onboarding, grand-opening marketing, and ongoing field operations.

How do I receive investment details and explore financing options?

Complete startup costs, fee structures, and itemized investment tables are provided in our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise brochure after you submit an initial inquiry. Prospective franchise owners commonly explore SBA 7(a) loans, Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS 401(k) rollovers), and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) with their financial advisors.

Where does Nash & Smashed currently operate and where can I open a location?

Nash & Smashed serves guests across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, and Canberra, Australia, with active franchise expansion across the East Coast and adjacent metropolitan corridors.

Own a Nash & Smashed in Jacksonville, FL

Scale across Florida's most populous city — from St. Johns Town Center, UNF and Gate Parkway to Southside/Baymeadows, Riverside/San Marco, Jacksonville Beaches and Oakleaf/Mandarin.

National franchise overview · Florida franchise guide

As the largest city by population in Florida and the gateway to the I-95 Southeast corridor, Jacksonville offers wide-open multi-unit runway across distinct submarkets. On the Southside at J. Turner Butler Boulevard (SR-202) and I-295, St. Johns Town Center, the University of North Florida (UNF), Gate Parkway fintech/banking campuses and Mayo Clinic Florida anchor Northeast Florida's highest-grossing dining hub.

Across Beach, Atlantic and Hodges Boulevards toward the Beaches, down San Jose Boulevard in Mandarin toward booming St. Johns County, in walkable Five Points / Riverside / San Marco, and near NAS Jacksonville / Argyle Forest and River City Marketplace by JAX Airport, 1,600+ sq ft Nash & Smashed locations fit seamlessly into Duval County's commuter centers.

First Coast scale: Town Center retail, UNF, naval bases and I-95 / I-295 growth

St. Johns Town Center, UNF Campus, Gate Parkway & Tinseltown (SR-202 & Southside Blvd): Northeast Florida's premier open-air retail destination, 17,000+ UNF students and major financial office campuses.
Beach Boulevard, Hodges / Kernan, Mayo Clinic & Jacksonville Beaches: High-income coastal commuter plazas, major medical campus employment and year-round beach dining.
Riverside / Five Points, San Marco, Mandarin (San Jose Blvd) & Bartram Park: Walkable historic urban districts paired with affluent south I-95 / I-295 family corridors bordering St. Johns County.
Westside / NAS Jacksonville (Blanding & Argyle) & Northside River City Marketplace: Active-duty Navy personnel, JAX Airport hotels and regional power-center shopping off I-95 North.

Own a Nash & Smashed in Jacksonville, FL

First Coast scale: Town Center retail, UNF, naval bases and I-95 / I-295 growth

Jacksonville, FL concept guides & nearby markets