Smashburger confirms Milton Keynes as one of first sites in UK franchise

US burger group Smashburger has announced plans to open in Milton Keynes in May 2016, its first confirmed UK site.

The franchise owner, previously reported as AL Ventures, is planning to create 35 restaurants in the UK over the next five years, and although Milton Keynes is the first site to be confirmed as opening so far, the company could not rule out the opening of other sites in the meantime. Two other sites are likely to open in quick succession, although the company could not yet confirm their locations.

Smashburger is seeking to position itself as part of the so-called ‘better burger' movement, with what it calls a unique method of smashing Red Tractor-quality beef against a hot buttered grill to sear in the juices, and never freezing the burgers beforehand.

The menu will also offer grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, tossed salads, garlic-seasoned fries, ‘haystack' onions and veggie ‘frites', which will be flash-fried carrot sticks and green beans. It will also offer a touch-screen Coca Cola Freestyle soda fountain machine, which offers a selection of over 100 Coca Cola-operated drinks.

Tim Lowther, managing director of Smashburger in the UK, commented: "We're excited to be opening one of our first Smashburger restaurants in Milton Keynes. Britain's love affair with the burger is deepening by the day and nowhere more so than Milton Keynes. With its fast-growing population we've identified a growing opportunity to educate and influence locals on the next generation of better burgers."

Smashburger began in the US in 2007, founded by Rick Schaden alongside restaurateur Tom Ryan, and now operates over 340 sites - including franchises - across 35 US states and seven countries, including Canada, Mexico, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

US burger chain Smashburger to open 35 UK sites >>
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