Does Greater Portland sustain strong restaurant traffic outside summer tourism?

Yes — suburban corridors around the Maine Mall, Forest/Brighton avenues and Rock Row alongside MaineHealth, USM and downtown offices sustain strong 12-month local lunch, dinner and delivery volume.

Is Maine open for immediate franchise disclosure and territory selection?

Yes. Maine is not one of the held registration states, allowing qualified Portland and Bangor applicants to request the FDD directly.

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 Portland, ME

Establish Maine's flagship Nash & Smashed in Greater Portland — spanning the Old Port, Congress Street, Forest/Brighton avenues near USM, Rock Row and the Maine Mall corridor.

National franchise overview · Maine franchise guide

Greater Portland anchors more than 40 percent of Maine's economic output along I-95 (Maine Turnpike) and I-295, pairing a world-famous culinary and cruise-ship peninsula in the Old Port and Arts District with Maine's largest suburban shopping hub around Maine Mall Road and Running Hill Road in South Portland. Major institutions — Maine Medical Center, WEX, IDEXX nearby, the University of Southern Maine's expanded Portland campus and the mixed-use Rock Row destination at Exit 48 — keep daytime and evening dining robust all year.

Whether opening a walkable Express or inline storefront on the peninsula or a 1,600+ sq ft Full Restaurant along the Maine Mall corridor, Brighton/Forest avenues or Rock Row, franchisees gain first-mover status in Maine.

Northern New England's acclaimed food city and Maine Mall regional retail hub

Maine Mall Road & Gorham / Running Hill Road (I-95 / I-295 South Portland): Maine's undisputed #1 regional shopping, hotel and fast-casual cluster near Portland Jetport.
Old Port, Commercial Street & Congress Street Arts District: High-foot-traffic coastal tourism, financial/fintech offices and Cross Insurance Arena events.
Forest Avenue (US-302), Brighton Avenue (USM) & Rock Row (Exit 48): University dorms, neighborhood grocery strips and booming mixed-use medical/entertainment retail on the Westbrook line.

Bring Nash & Smashed to Portland, ME

Northern New England's acclaimed food city and Maine Mall regional retail hub

Portland, ME concept guides & nearby markets