Are East End and urban Louisville franchise territories currently open?

Yes. Jefferson and Oldham counties in Kentucky are open for single-unit and multi-unit development across St. Matthews, Hurstbourne, Middletown, Springhurst, the Highlands and UofL.

What training and launch assistance do Louisville owners receive?

Franchisees complete 40 hours of training (6 classroom + 34 on-the-job hours) and receive 12 corporate support commitments covering site selection, kitchen design, vendor setup and grand-opening marketing.

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.

Bring Nash & Smashed to Louisville, KY

Establish Nash & Smashed in Kentucky's largest metro — across St. Matthews, Hurstbourne, Middletown, the Highlands, NuLu and UofL campus blocks — serving five craveable revenue lines under one roof.

National franchise overview · Kentucky franchise guide

Louisville combines proud culinary culture and year-round hospitality with major employment anchors across Jefferson County — including Humana, downtown medical complexes, Ford assembly plants, UPS Worldport and the University of Louisville's Belknap Campus. Offering Nashville-style sandwiches, hand-breaded fried chicken, hand-smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes gives operators broad household and late-shift appeal.

Along Shelbyville Road (US-60) from St. Matthews and Oxmoor to Middletown and the Paddock Shops off I-265, down Hurstbourne Parkway and Bardstown Road through the Highlands, and across Outer Loop / Dixie Highway plazas, early franchisees can secure premier 1,600+ sq ft inline, endcap or Express footprints.

Jefferson County retail power corridors along Shelbyville Road, Hurstbourne and I-65

St. Matthews, Oxmoor & Middletown (Shelbyville Road / US-60): Louisville's highest-grossing East End shopping corridor stretching from I-264 out past the Gene Snyder Freeway.
Hurstbourne Parkway, Jeffersontown & Taylorsville Road (I-64 East): Dense corporate office parks, hotel clusters and grocery-anchored strip centers with strong weekday lunch volume.
Bardstown Road / Highlands, NuLu & UofL Cardinal Boulevard: Walkable dining districts, University of Louisville student housing and hospital corridors suited for Express and 1,600 sq ft storefronts.
Outer Loop, Preston Highway & Dixie Highway (South Jefferson County): High-traffic commuter retail plazas near Jefferson Mall and Worldport workforce neighborhoods.

Bring Nash & Smashed to Louisville, KY

Jefferson County retail power corridors along Shelbyville Road, Hurstbourne and I-65

Louisville, KY concept guides & nearby markets