What makes the Nash & Smashed fried chicken franchise different in Portland, ME?

Unlike single-item chicken concepts, every Nash & Smashed kitchen combines Nashville-style fried chicken sandwiches, bone-in chicken, tenders and wings with smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes inside a compact 1,600+ sq ft footprint suited to Maine Mall Road & Gorham / Running Hill Road (I-95 / I-295 South Portland) and Old Port, Commercial Street & Congress Street Arts District.

Do I need kitchen experience to run a fried chicken franchise in Portland, ME?

No prior restaurant experience is required. Every franchise owner completes 40 hours of training — 6 classroom hours and 34 hours on the job inside an operating Nash & Smashed — covering marination, breading, fryer station flow, inventory and local 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.

Own a Fried Chicken Franchise in Portland, ME

Bring hand-breaded Nashville-style chicken sandwiches, bone-in fried chicken, tenders and wings to Portland, ME — paired with smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes so one 1,600+ sq ft kitchen captures every guest in the group.

National franchise overview · Format overview · Maine franchise guide · Portland, ME franchise guide

Prospective operators searching for a fried chicken franchise in Portland, ME often run into concepts that rely on a single menu item or require oversized freestanding real estate. Nash & Smashed pairs made-to-order Nashville-style chicken sandwiches, bone-in fried chicken, tenders and party wings with flat-top smashed burgers, waffle fries, handcrafted mocktails and cakes — eliminating the group veto vote across Maine Mall Road & Gorham / Running Hill Road (I-95 / I-295 South Portland) and Old Port, Commercial Street & Congress Street Arts District.

Ideal for 1,600+ sq ft inline and endcap spaces around the Maine Mall corridor, Rock Row, Brighton Avenue and Forest Avenue. For tighter urban blocks or campus-adjacent trade areas around Forest Avenue (US-302), Brighton Avenue (USM) & Rock Row (Exit 48), our Express Unit and Food Truck formats give Portland owners flexible real estate entry points supported directly from lease review through grand opening.

Why hand-breaded fried chicken scales across Portland

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.

Own a Fried Chicken Franchise in Portland, ME

Why hand-breaded fried chicken scales across Portland

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