Can a franchise partner develop across both Johnson County, KS and neighboring Kansas City, MO?

Yes. Both Kansas and Missouri are open non-registration states, allowing multi-unit applicants in the Kansas City metro to discuss cross-state-line territory plans with our franchise team.

What minimum space is needed for a Kansas Full Restaurant?

Full Restaurant locations start at a 1,600-square-foot minimum footprint, making inline and endcap bays along Metcalf Avenue, 135th Street or Rock Road straightforward to lease and outfit.

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 Kansas

Build across Johnson County, Wichita, Lawrence, Manhattan and Topeka — serving Nashville-style sandwiches, fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes with 40 hours of training and 12 corporate support commitments.

National franchise overview

Kansas combines some of the Midwest's highest-income suburban retail corridors in Johnson County — spanning Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa and Shawnee along I-435, I-35 and 135th Street — with aviation and manufacturing strength in Wichita and vibrant Big 12 college towns in Lawrence and Manhattan. Across I-70 and the Kansas Turnpike, guests turn out consistently for seared hand-smashed burgers like our Oklahoma Smashed alongside hand-breaded fried chicken, Nashville-style sandwiches, mocktails and cakes.

Whether opening a 1,600+ sq ft Full Restaurant in a grocery-anchored suburban plaza, a compact Express Unit near a major campus, or a Food Truck serving youth sports complexes and festival routes, Kansas franchisees receive 40 hours of training (6 classroom + 34 on the job) and 12 pre-opening and post-opening corporate support commitments.

Suburban retail powerhouses and Big 12 college corridors along I-35 and I-70

Johnson County & KC Metro West (Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood & Lenexa): Premier suburban shopping corridors along Metcalf Avenue, 95th, 119th and 135th Streets, plus youth sports and corporate campuses.
Greater Wichita (East Kellogg, Rock Road, Maize Road & Derby): Kansas's largest standalone city, anchored by aviation employers, Wichita State University and busy east-west retail strips.
Lawrence & Topeka (I-70 / K-10 Corridor): University of Kansas student traffic along Massachusetts and 23rd Streets in Lawrence paired with Wanamaker Road retail in Topeka.
Manhattan & Fort Riley Corridor: Kansas State University's Aggieville district and nearby military family demand along Tuttle Creek Boulevard and US-24.

Own a Nash & Smashed in Kansas

Suburban retail powerhouses and Big 12 college corridors along I-35 and I-70

Kansas city & concept franchise guides