Which Iowa markets offer the strongest initial trade areas?

Priority Iowa markets include Greater Des Moines (West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee and Urbandale), Ames, Iowa City/Coralville, Cedar Rapids and Davenport/Bettendorf.

How long does it take to open a Nash & Smashed in Iowa?

Average time from signing a franchise agreement to grand opening is 6–9 months, supported step by step through site selection, contractor negotiations, equipment procurement and 40 hours of training.

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 Iowa

Bring Nashville-style sandwiches, hand-breaded fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes to Greater Des Moines, Ames, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Davenport with 40 hours of training and 12 support commitments.

National franchise overview

Greater Des Moines — led by booming suburbs in West Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny and Urbandale at the crossroads of I-80 and I-35 — ranks among the Midwest's fastest-growing insurance, fintech and family metros, complemented by powerhouse university and medical corridors along I-380 in Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids as well as Ames and Davenport. Across Iowa, families and students love hearty, cooked-to-order comfort food, making our five revenue lines — Nashville-style sandwiches, fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes — a standout neighborhood anchor.

Accessible retail rents and abundant grocery-anchored plazas allow Iowa franchisees to position 1,600+ sq ft Full Restaurants in premier commuter corridors while deploying Express Units on walkable college blocks and Food Trucks at state fairs and corporate campuses. Every owner receives 40 hours of training and 12 corporate support commitments.

Expanding across Iowa's I-80 and I-35 metro and university corridors

Des Moines Western Suburbs (West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale & Clive): Jordan Creek Town Center, corporate insurance campuses and high-income family plazas along Jordan Creek Parkway, University Avenue and Hickman Road.
Ankeny, Downtown Des Moines & Ames (I-35 North Corridor): Rapid suburban expansion along Oralabor and Delaware Avenue in Ankeny connected straight up I-35 to Iowa State University's Campustown in Ames.
I-380 Creative Corridor (Iowa City, Coralville & Cedar Rapids): University of Iowa Hospitals and student foot traffic in Iowa City/Coralville paired with Collins Road and Edgewood Road retail in Cedar Rapids.
Davenport & Bettendorf (53rd Street & Elmore Avenue Corridor): High-volume eastern Iowa shopping centers and medical hubs along 53rd Street, Utica Ridge Road and I-74.

Own a Nash & Smashed in Iowa

Expanding across Iowa's I-80 and I-35 metro and university corridors

Iowa city & concept franchise guides