Does Nash & Smashed perform year-round beyond Maine's summer tourism season?

Yes. Placing 1,600+ sq ft Full Restaurants or Express Units near grocery-anchored plazas, hospitals, universities and commuter corridors in South Portland, Westbrook, Biddeford and Bangor builds steady four-season neighborhood and delivery demand.

How do Maine franchise owners receive training and startup guidance?

Every owner completes 40 hours of training (6 hours classroom + 34 hours on the job) and receives 12 corporate support commitments covering site selection, contractor negotiations, equipment purchasing, launch marketing and ongoing operations.

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 Maine

Introduce Nashville-style sandwiches, hand-breaded fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes to Greater Portland and Maine's I-95 / I-295 corridor with 40 hours of training and 12 corporate support commitments.

National franchise overview

Greater Portland has earned national recognition as a culinary powerhouse, while surrounding suburbs in South Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough and Biddeford — along with Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta and Bangor up I-95 and I-295 — rely on regional shopping centers where authentic Nashville hot chicken and hand-smashed burgers remain scarce. Combining five revenue lines — Nashville-style sandwiches, fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes — lets Maine operators serve year-round local commuters, hospital and shipyard teams, college students and millions of coastal summer and foliage visitors.

Our 1,600 sq ft minimum Full Restaurant footprint fits inline Bayside, Maine Mall-area and Route 1 shopping plazas without costly freestanding construction, complemented by compact Express Units and seasonal-plus-campus Food Trucks. Franchisees complete 40 hours of structured training backed by 12 corporate support commitments.

Northern New England expansion along Maine's I-95 and I-295 spine

Portland Peninsula, Bayside & USM/Maine Med District: Walkable Old Port and Congress Street foot traffic, major healthcare employment and growing residential mid-rises in Bayside.
South Portland, Scarborough & Westbrook Retail Hub: Maine Mall Road, Payne Road and Rock Row mixed-use developments drawing shoppers from across Cumberland and York counties.
Southern Route 1 & I-95 (Biddeford, Saco & Kittery): University of New England students, revitalized mill districts and heavy year-round outlet and coastal commuter traffic.
Central & Eastern I-95 (Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta & Bangor): Bates College, Marketplace at Augusta and Stillwater Avenue / Bangor Mall retail serving northern and coastal Maine.

Own a Nash & Smashed in Maine

Northern New England expansion along Maine's I-95 and I-295 spine

Maine city & concept franchise guides