The competition for your hamburger dollar is about to heat up.
The newest entry into the field is Smashburger, 4315 West Main St., just East of Drake Road. The restaurant will open its doors Aug. 11. Its burgers are 100-percent Certified Angus Beef and one-fourth, one-third or half-pound balls of fresh meat are smashed on a flat grill. No frozen meat is used.
The owners, Terry and Jean Henderson, will be hiring more than 35 people to staff the restaurant and the venture represents an investment of roughly $450,000.
In celebration of the opening event, Smashburger is looking for the best homegrown band. It has invited local bands to upload a video of their performing by 11:59 p.m. EST. Aug. 4. Then send the link, your contact information and any questions
here.
Finalists will be notified if they are in the running. The winning band will be chosen by the public through online voting from Aug. 5 to Aug. 10. The winning band will play a one-hour set at 5 p.m Saturday, Aug.14 before fans and invited members of the local media.
Denver-based Smashburger, operates and develops corporate, joint venture and franchise stores across the country. Smashburger currently has more than 70 stores in 16 states and has sold franchise and joint venture agreements that will bring the total to more than 375 locations over the next five years.The West Main location is the first of six Michigan Smashburgers slated to open over the next three years.
The local restaurant will have regional touches like a Michigan Olive Smashburger and burger with barbecue sauce from Michigan cherries.
Kalamazoo-based SmashVentures, LLC, is owned by the Hendersons. They own and operate several successful restaurants including Fire Bowl Café and The Wine Loft in Kalamazoo. They plan more Smashburger locations in the greater Kalamazoo area, Battle Creek and Lansing.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Jean Henderson, SmashVentures, LLC
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