What sets Nash & Smashed apart for Kentucky fast-casual diners?

Every Nashville-style sandwich, fried chicken order and hand-smashed burger is prepared to order with customizable heat levels and signature sauces, paired on the same menu with hand-spun shakes, Mojitos, mocktails and cakes.

Are territories open across Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky?

Yes. Single-unit and multi-unit territories are available across Greater Louisville, Lexington, Florence/Covington/Newport and Bowling Green. Request the FDD to review open trade areas.

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 Kentucky

Bring prepared-to-order Nashville-style sandwiches, hand-breaded chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes to Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and Bowling Green with 40 hours of training and 12 support commitments.

National franchise overview

No state appreciates crisp, hand-breaded chicken and bold Southern seasoning more than Kentucky, yet guests in Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and Bowling Green increasingly look past mass-produced drive-thru chains toward cooked-to-order fast-casual dining. Along the I-64, I-65 and I-75 Golden Triangle, our five revenue lines — Nashville-style sandwiches with customizable heat levels, fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes — unite every craving under one roof.

Prospective Kentucky operators can establish single-unit stores or multi-unit portfolios using our 1,600 sq ft minimum Full Restaurant footprint in suburban shopping plazas, compact Express Units near university and hospital blocks, or Food Trucks at bourbon-trail, racing and campus venues. Every partner receives 40 hours of structured training and 12 pre-opening and post-opening corporate support commitments.

Expanding along Kentucky's I-65, I-64 and I-75 Golden Triangle

Greater Louisville (St. Matthews, Hurstbourne, Highlands & Dixie Highway): High-volume retail corridors along Shelbyville Road, Bardstown Road and Hurstbourne Parkway plus UPS Worldport and medical workforce shifts.
Lexington & The Bluegrass (Nicholasville Road, Hamburg & UK Campus): University of Kentucky student and healthcare traffic paired with premier regional shopping centers at Fayette Mall and Hamburg Pavilion.
Northern Kentucky I-71 / I-75 (Florence, Covington & Newport): Mall Road retail in Florence, CVG airport logistics hubs and walkable riverfront entertainment blocks in Covington and Newport.
Bowling Green & I-65 South Corridor: Western Kentucky University campus demand and booming manufacturing growth along Scottsville Road immediately north of Tennessee.

Own a Nash & Smashed in Kentucky

Expanding along Kentucky's I-65, I-64 and I-75 Golden Triangle

Kentucky city & concept franchise guides