Why is West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle such a natural next step?

Martinsburg and Charles Town sit less than an hour from our Northern Virginia and Frederick, Maryland markets, giving franchisees existing commuter brand awareness and immediate proximity to our Fairfax corporate team.

Are territories available in Morgantown, Charleston and Huntington as well?

Yes. Open single-unit and multi-unit territories span the Eastern Panhandle, Morgantown/North-Central WV, Charleston/Teays Valley and Huntington.

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 West Virginia

Expand directly west of our Virginia and Maryland core into the Eastern Panhandle, Morgantown, Charleston and Huntington with 40 hours of training and 12 corporate support commitments.

National franchise overview

Sharing long borders with our flagship Virginia and Maryland markets, West Virginia offers immediate brand spillover — especially in the booming Eastern Panhandle communities of Martinsburg, Charles Town and Shepherdstown along I-81 and US-340, where thousands of families commute daily from Northern Virginia and Frederick, Maryland. Extending across I-68 and I-79 into Morgantown and Clarksburg/Bridgeport and along I-64 through Charleston, Teays Valley and Huntington, our five revenue lines — Nashville-style sandwiches, fried chicken, smashed burgers, mocktails and cakes — bring modern fast-casual energy to underserved shopping corridors.

With a 1,600 sq ft minimum Full Restaurant footprint plus campus Express Units and Food Trucks, West Virginia franchisees benefit from short drives to our Fairfax, Virginia corporate headquarters for 40 hours of training and 12 hands-on corporate support commitments.

Immediate Mid-Atlantic adjacency along I-81, I-79 and I-64

Eastern Panhandle I-81 Corridor (Martinsburg, Charles Town & Ranson): West Virginia's fastest-growing residential counties, fueled by Mid-Atlantic commuters and busy Foxcroft Avenue and Flowing Springs retail plazas.
Morgantown & North-Central I-79 (WVU, Suncrest & Bridgeport): West Virginia University student and WVU Medicine hospital demand around University Town Centre, Suncrest Towne Centre and Meadowbrook.
Charleston & Putnam County (Corridor G, Kanawha City & Teays Valley): State-capital workforce, CAMC medical hubs and affluent family shopping centers along US-119 / Corridor G and Hurricane/Teays Valley.
Huntington, Barboursville & Beckley Hubs: Marshall University blocks on 3rd/4th Avenue, Tanyard Station/Mall Road retail in Barboursville and New River Gorge gateway traffic in Beckley.

Own a Nash & Smashed in West Virginia

Immediate Mid-Atlantic adjacency along I-81, I-79 and I-64

West Virginia city & concept franchise guides